ENG-1967 — Page 323

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Natural History

It is easy for a visitor to miss the delights of Hong Kong's country- side, so overpowering is the impact of its city life. Even residents can forget, under the pressure of their daily lives, that on their doorsteps lie peaceful farming areas, empty hills or quiet wood- land walks. Areas of special interest to naturalists and biologists are the water catchments, notably those of Tai Tam, Kowloon and Jubilee reservoirs, the hills of Lantau and Lamma Islands and the Sai Kung peninsula. In these areas are many miles of interesting walks through tropical and sub-tropical vegetation and here, as elsewhere in the Colony, there is a surprising amount of wild life.

Existing legislation makes some provision for the protection of the countryside and the wild life in it, but it is felt that more could be done. A Provisional Council for the Use and Conservation of the Countryside has been appointed to advise on the selection of suitable areas in the New Territories which could be set aside for public recreation or the conservation of wild life. The council will also advise on legislation or financial arrangements which may have to be made to give effect to their proposals.

WILD LIFE

Due to rapid urbanization and increasing illegal hunting and trapping, many wild mammals are sharply declining in numbers. If the present rate of decline remains unchecked it is expected that the larger mammals will have disappeared from the Colony within the next four years. The government is still considering ways and means of conserving the remaining indigenous species, many of which are of great scientific interest as well as being useful in destroying insect and rodent pests.

Of the larger indigenous mammals the Chinese Pagolin is the most remarkable. It grows to a length of three-and-a-half feet and its back and tail are protected by horny scales, giving it a superficial