XN000022-1976-03-18 — Page 2

THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 1976

MORE RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED IN COUNTRYSIDE

*******

CONTINUED EMPHASIS WILL BE LAID BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT THIS YEAR TO EXTEND COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES INTO NEW AREAS AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WHICH IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY POPULAR WITH THE URBAN POPULATION.

ABOUT $4.2 MILLION HAS BEEN EAR-MARKED FOR THIS PROJECT FROM THE $45.2 MILLION ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR,

THIS MONEY WILL ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE AND EXTEND THE TERRITORIAL SCOPE OF ITS PRESENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO PROTECT THE COUNTRYSIDE AGAINST FIRE AND LITTERING AND TO DEVELOP ITS POTENTIAL AS A RECREATIONAL RESOURCE.

PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE INTRODUCTION OF THESE SERVICES INTO THE SAI KUNG PENINSULA WHERE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS IS INCREASING RAPIDLY.

OUTLINING DETAILS OF THE PROJECT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW MANAGEMENT CENTRE IN THE HEART OF THE SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE OF SAJ KUNG TOGETHER WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC TOILETS AND REFRESHMENT KIOSK AT SHING MUN, ABERDEEN AND BRIDE'S POOL, THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES AND FURTHER WORK ON A NEW ACCESS ROAD FOR SERVICING VEHICLES ALONG THE EASTERN SIDE OF JUBILEE RESERVOIR.

SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND, FUNDS AND STAFF, HE SAID TEN NEW INTENSIVE BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED IN THE SAME STYLE AS THE POPULAR AREAS NEAR BRIDE'S POOL AND PLOVER COVE.

THESE PLACES WOULD HAVE TABLES AND BENCHES, SHELTERS, LITTER BINS BARBECUE GRILLES, INFORMATION BOARDS, SHADE TREE PLANTING AND A WARDEN PATROL SERVICE.

THE NEW ACCESS ROAD WOULD ENABLE SERVICING AND FIRE FIGHTING VEHICLES TO REACH SCENIC AREAS ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF JUBILEE RESERVOIR SO THAT THESE, TOO, MIGHT BE MANAGED FOR RECREATION USE IN THE SAME WAY AS THE IMMENSELY POPULAR AREAS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE RESERVOIR WHICH IS NOW VISITED BY UP TO 50,000 PEOPLE PER MONTH.

IN ADDITION TO ITS TRADITIONAL WORK OF TREE PLANTING AND MANAGEMENT OF PLANTATIONS, THE CONSERVATION AND FORESTS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OPENED UP 38 NEW BARBECUE AND PICNIC PLACES DURING THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL OF SUCH RECREATIONAL PROJECTS TO 183.

/FURTHERMORE