XN000022-1995-10-06 — Page 3

Fund contributes to a cleaner and greener Hong Kong

The Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) is making steady progress to encourage public interest in initiating and participating in projects leading to a cleaner and greener Hong Kong.

Since the launching of the Fund in August last year, ECF has approved grants totalling $16.9 million in support of 91 environmental and conservation projects, many of which are community projects receiving support for the first time.

The primary aim of ECF is to assist projects that will improve or sustain Hong Kong's environment through practical public awareness and research projects.

Chairman of the ECF Committee set up to advise on the use of the fund, Mr Peter Woo, said: "I am delighted and encouraged by the broad spectrum of non-profit organisations that have applied for grants during this first phase of the funding programme.

"It is our aim to try to get as many people involved in caring for the environment as possible and provide them with financial support to benefit the public at large. It is the participation of people at the grassroots level that can and will make the change for the better."

The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, said: "I am pleased to see that these projects will involve the active participation of more than 120,000 pepole.

"This is a useful indication that the ECF Committee has succeeded in its task to raise public interest in caring for our environment."

Mr Leung thanked the ECF Committee and its sub-committees for their excellent work in selecting worthwhile projects to be supported by the Fund.

"I am sure that committee members with their diverse professional backgrounds will continue to perform their tasks fabulously," he said.

Among the projects funded by ECF is the Environmental Resource Centre now being set up in Tsuen Wan. This will be the first environmental resource centre to be operated by community groups.

The centre will provide environmental information to the public with the ultimate goal of arousing public interest in taking positive action to improve the environment.