TNAG-0532-FCO40-627-Conservation-of-wildlife-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 119

LIVED IN

REJSZY No. 50

.:75

NKK 7/6

HRIOD

Flat D, 9th Floor,

96, Nathan Road, Kowloon,

3rd May, 1975

Ottowa 815

H.E. Sir Murray MacLehose, K.C.M.G., M.B.E.,

Government House,

Hong Kong.

Your Excellency,

Mr. Robson's letter of May 2nd (S.C.M.P.), which was in answer to our open letter to Your Excellency, in no way answers our criticisms, and is full of factual inaccuracies.

First, we have never sought to reserve the marshes for our own use. On the contrary, 'the suggestion which we have made would restrict the activities of birdwatchers, while making the marshes of greater benefit to the community as a whole. Imputations of selfish motives just do not fit the facts.

Secord of all those who have protested against this scheme in the correspondence columns, only two are members of the Bird Watching Society. Most are not even members of the Conservancy Association, which is a more broadly based organisation.

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Third the fact that there are vast areas of such marsh in the Pearl Estuary is small Consolation to the people of Hong Kong, who are the people for whom we are trying to get this natural asset safeguarded.

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Fourth, Mr. Robson gives the impression that the proposed estate is far away from the section of the marsh most ornithologically interesting; in fact, the distance is only fifty yards or so. A few years ago, the Tai Sang Wai site was itself as interesting as any.

Fifth none of the land involved is in private ownership. It is on Crown Lease or on Crown Permit, and the Crown retains very considerable rights to determine how the land is used. "All xxx land in Hong Kong is owned by the Crown. (Hong Kong Annual Report 1975, page 86).

Sixth, Mr. Robson alleges that the Kei-wais can be developed as fishponds at the discretion of the permit-holders. A letter from the Colonial Secretariat dated February 27th 1974 gives the following as one of the conditions of the annual permit granted for this land, "No conversion of any part of the Kei-wai to fishpond is allowed".

Seventh, we also object to this scheme on grounds of a total lack. of comprehensive land use planning; this is a good example of the kind of ad hoc development from which Hong Kong has suffered for years.

Finally, if a decision of such importance can be taken without taking any notice of objections against it, regardless of source, such a decision can be reversed.