XN000022-1973-01-11 — Page 7

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Thursday, January 11, 1973

PUBLIC WARNED AGAINST DAMAGE TO PROTECTED PLANTS

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department today warned the public

not to pick or damage Lunar New Year flowers and other types of plants

grown on Crown land.

Damage to the Lunar New Year flower "Tiu Chung" and other seasonal

flowers such as orchids and azalias is usually very serious at this time

of the year, a spokesman said.

It is an offence under the Forestry Ordinance to cut, burn or

otherwise damage vegetation on Crown land. Offenders are liable to a fine

of $2,000 and one year's imprisonment.

The unlawful sale or possession of protected plants and flowers

is an offence liable to a fine of $250.

Warning posters, in Chinese and English, are being put up in all

public notice boards, and plantation areas in the New Territories.