XN000022-1994-09-13 — Page 15

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1994

CONVENED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE GROUP IS ALSO REPRESENTED BY THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, POLICE AND THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH.

TO TIE IN WITH THE INTERNATIONAL MEASURE ΤΟ PROTECT TIGERS, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD, SINCE JANUARY 28 THIS YEAR, PROHIBITED THE IMPORT OF MEDICINE CONTAINING OR CLAIMING ΤΟ CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS. THE BAN ON THE SALE OF THESE MEDICINE HAD ALSO BECOME EFFECTIVE ON APRIL 28.

DURING THE DEPARTMENT'S 680 INSPECTIONS OF MEDICINAL SHOPS BETWEEN MAY AND AUGUST THIS YEAR, 11 OF THEM WERE FOUND TO HAVE PUT ON SALE MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS. OWNERS OF THESE SHOPS WILL BE PROSECUTED AFTER INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLETED.

MR LAU REITERATED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS CONSIDERING INCREASING THE PENALTIES TO STAMP OUT THESE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

COMMENTING ON CITES, HE SAID IT WAS INSTALLED IN WASHINGTON DC, USA, IN 1973. ITS MEMBERSHIP HAS GROWN FROM THE INITIAL 80 TO THE CURRENT 120, INCLUDING BRITAIN AND CHINA. HONG KONG IS A PARTY TO THE CONVENTION THROUGH BRITAIN'S RECTIFICATION.

OF

ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY, MR LAU SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD DONE A LOT TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE PROTECTING ENDANGERED SPECIES. IT HAD PRODUCED POSTERS, LEAFLETS TEACHING KITS, ISSUED PRESS RELEASES AND ORGANISED EXHIBITIONS. DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO STEPPED UP PUBLICITY ON VARIOUS FRONTS THIS YEAR.

AND

THE

"IT IS EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT WILD ANIMALS AND PLANTS THROUGH REASONABLE UTILISATION BUT NOT INDISCRIMINATE EXPLOITATION. BY DOING SO, WE HOPE OUR OFFSPRINGS CAN ENJOY THE SAME NATURAL RESOURCES IN THE FUTURE AS WE DO NOW," MR LAU ADDED.

HUNG MUI KUK ROAD BUS LANE IN FORCE

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT REMINDS MOTORISTS THAT THE BUS LANE ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD IS STILL IN FORCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF BUS PASSENGERS.

GENERAL MOTORISTS, EXCEPT THOSE WITH PERMITS 199URD BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE BUS LANE.

TRAFFIC CONGESTION WAS OBSERVED ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD KOWLOON-BOUND DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOURS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.

AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO AVOID THE CONGESTION ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, MOTORISTS FROM TAI PO ROAD AND TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD ARE NOW PERMITTED TO TRAVEL VIA LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND DIRECT ΤΟ LION ROCK TUNNEL.

/NEW TRAFFIC