XN000022-1988-01-17 — Page 8

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 1988

ROCK CLIMBERS CLEAN UP AMAH ROCK

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A TEAM OF EIGHT EXPERIENCED ROCK CLIMBERS TODAY (SUNDAY) VOLUNTEERED THEIR SERVICE IN SUPPORT OF THE DRIVE CURRENTLY MOUNTED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO CLEAN UP LITTER BLACK SPOTS AND REMOTE HIKING ROUTES IN HONG KONG'S 21 COUNTRY PARKS.

THE ROCK CLIMBERS FROM THE NGOK FUNG ROCK CLIMBING SOCIETY SPENT THE WHOLE MORNING COLLECTING LITTER ON THE HILL TOP AND STEEP SLOPES OF AMAH ROCK IN LION ROCK COUNTRY PARK.

WITH THE AID OF SPECIAL ROCK CLIMBING EQUIPMENT, THEY CONCENTRATED THEIR EFFORTS ON PICKING UP LITTER TRAPPED IN ROCK CRACKS AND BELOW THE CLIFF WHERE ACCESSIBILITY IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE EXCEPT FOR THE VERY EXPERIENCED MOUNTAINEERS.

THEY WERE THE LATEST PARTICIPANTS IN THE DEPARTMENT'S CLEAN AND GREEN SCHEME WHICH HAS ATTRACTED MORE THAN 7,400 VOLUNTEERS,

HIKERS INCLUDING 1,600

FROM 41 GROUPS, ΤΟ TAKE PART IN LITTER COLLECTION ACTIVITIES SINCE ITS LAUNCH LAST OCTOBER.

THE DEPARTMENT'S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR C.W. LAI, PUBLIC SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE TURNOUT WHICH REFLECTED A GROWING CONCERN FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE ENVIRONMENT.

"DESPITE THE SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE CIVIC-MINDED то IGNORE COMMUNITY, THERE ARE UNFORTUNATELY STILL PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE THE ANTI-LITTER LAW FOR SELFISH REASONS.

"THEY WILL BE PENALISED UNDER CARRIED OUT BY UNIFORMED PARK OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.

WARDENS

A STERN PROSECUTION DRIVE AND PLAINCLOTHED ENFORCEMENT

MR LAI

SINCE THE START OF THE PROSECUTION DRIVE SIX WEEKS AGO, SAID, SUMMONSES HAD BEEN SERVED ON A TOTAL OF 409 LITTER OFFENDERS.

THIS IS ALMOST FOUR TIMES THE

1986.

SIX-WEEKLY

AVERAGE OF

110 IN

PLAINCLOTHED

OF THESE, 255 WERE INITIATED BY OFFICERS WHILE THE REMAINING 154 BY UNIFORMED PARK WARDENS.

ENFORCEMENT

WITH 93 COVE

MOST OFFENCES WERE COMMITTED IN SAI KUNG COUNTRY PARK

CLEAR WATER BAY AND PLOVER CASES, FOLLOWED BY PAT SIN LENG, COUNTRY PARKS WITH 58, 48 AND 47 CASES RESPECTIVELY.

WARDENS ALSO GAVE ADVICE ON IN ADDITION, PARK DISPOSAL OF LITTER TO 102,900 VISITORS FROM 4,168 GROUPS.

MR LA SAID STRINGENT ENFORCEMENT ACTION WOULD HIS DEPARTMENT WAS SATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION.

HR WARNRD THAT LITTER OFFENDERS WOULD BE LIABLE FINE OF $2,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.

THE PROPER

CONTINUE UNTIL

TO A MAX EMUM

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