XN000022-1975-12-24 — Page 2

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1975.

PROTECTION OF COUNTRYSIDE FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT

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AREAS OF HONG KONG COUNTRYSIDE CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT ARE TO BE MADE INTO COUNTRY PARKS AND THEIR NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, VEGETATION AND WILD-LIFE PROTECTED. IF A BILL, PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IS APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COUNTRY PARKS BILL 1976 ALSO PROVIDES FOR ANY AREA OF CROUN LAND. WHETHER INSIDE OR OUTSIDE A COUNTRY PARK TO BE SET ASIDE AS A SPECIAL AREA, AGAIN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC.

ALSO TO BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BILL IS A COUNTRY PARKS BOARD. THE BOARD WILL CONSIST OF NO FEWER THAN TEN MEMBERS, AT LEAST FIVE OF WHOM WILL BE OFFICIAL. THE OTHERS WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE BOARD WILL REPLACE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NATURE CONSERVATION.

THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WILL BE THE AUTHORITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS. HE WILL CHAIR THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD.

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IT WILL BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR THE AREAS TO BE DESIGNATED AS COUNTRY PARKS OR SPECIAL AREAS.

IN ADDITION, IT WILL BE HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE MEASURES TO PROTECT THE VEGETATION AND WILD-LIFE INSIDE THE PARKS OR AREAS AND TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN BUILDINGS AND SITES OF HISTORICAL OR CULTURAL INTEREST. HE WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS FOR RECREATION AND TOURISM AND PROVIDE SERVICES AND FACILITIES FOR PUBLIC ENJOYMENT.

IF AN AREA IS TO BE DESIGNATED AS A COUNTRY PARK, THE AUTHORITY MAY PREPARE A DRAFT MAP OF THE PROPOSED AREA. AT THE SAME TIME A NOTICE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE GIVING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE AREA AND DETAILS OF WHERE THE MAP MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC TOGETHER WITH THE TIME LIMIT WITHIN WHICH OBJECTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THE BOARD.

ONCE THE NOTICE HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, NO NEW DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS BUILDING, ENGINEERING, MINING OR OTHER SIMILAR OPERATIONS, WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE PROPOSED AREA WITHOUT THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE AUTHORITY, APART FROM THOSE FOR WHICH APPROVAL HAD BEEN GIVEN BEFORE THE NOTICE WAS PUBLISHED, MAINTENANCE WORKS, REPAIR WORKS AND THE USE OF LAND FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSES, WILL HOWEVER, BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

/ ALSO, IF IT

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