XN000022-1973-06-07 — Page 3

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Thursday, June 7, 1973

Turning to the problem of the automobile, the spokesman said that

the fumes from motor cars were again looming as a problem in a city where

the buildings must inevitably grow bigger.

However, the spokesman sounded a bright note when he reviewed the

achievements of the past year, which he described as being a "significant

period for Hong Kong's environment".

Heading the list was the Clean Hong Kong campaign, but it was also

a year during which planning for the improvement of the environment was

started and reached fruition.

The government, he said, received studies on harbour pollution and

sewage treatment, and pollution of the waters of the north west New Territories.

The first report of the Advisory Committee on Environmental Pollution on

Land and Water was also submitted and this document set out practical aims

for the reduction of pollution in Hong Kong.

The spokesman said that further studies on the pollution of the

New Territories as a whole, and ways of tackling the problems of pollution

from pig and poultry farms were now nearing completion.

Plans to improve outdoor recreation in the countryside came to

fruition with the commencement of the five-year development scheme prepared

by the Advisory Committees for Recreational Development and Nature Conservation

for Hong Kong Island and the New Territories.

The programmes provide for a ring of country parks around Kowloon

and the opening up and provision of amenities at beauty spots on the island.

Plans for the development of recreational and tourist facilities on Lantau and

Ma Wan Islands and on Sai Kung Peninsula will also be studied by consultants

this year.

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