ENG-1975 — Page 251

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THE ENVIRONMENT

service is operated by three craft for the benefit of ocean-going vessels. Each morning a list is compiled of ships which have remained in port for 48 hours or more. These ships are then visited by the pollution control unit and accumulated domestic refuse is removed. Vessels wishing to make use of this service before they have been in port 48 hours may do so by direct contact with the pollution control unit. This service effectively precludes clandestine dumping during the hours of darkness.

The Royal Observatory is responsible for providing basic information on radio- active fallout from nuclear explosions, so that warnings can be issued on possible health hazards. Regular measurements of beta and gamma activity in the atmosphere and in rainfall have been made since 1961. The radioactivity of filtered water samples from several reservoirs around Hong Kong is also regularly determined for the Water Authority. The general level of atmospheric radioactivity in 1975 was low.

The Radiation Board, set up within the Medical and Health Department, exercises control over the issue of licences for irradiating apparatus and radioactive substances. The board operates under the Radiation Ordinance and two sets of regulations-the Radiation (Control of Radioactive Substances) Regulations and the Radiation (Control of Irradiating Apparatus) Regulations.

Conservation and Countryside Management

Steep hills cover about three-quarters of the land area and dominate the landscape. The vegetation on these hills-which includes grass, scrub and some 10,000 acres of woodland-plays an important role in the management of water catchments and in the enhancement of scenic amenities.

The two principal factors adversely affecting the vegetation and wildlife are grass and forest fires and the large numbers of people from the urban areas who visit the countryside for recreation. During the year 618 fires were reported. The total extent of damage is not known, but in areas managed by the Agriculture and Fisheries Depart- ment 80 fires covered about 450 hectares, damaging some 200,000 trees. Similar damage occurred in other areas. The number of visitors continued to increase significantly, as it has done for several years. They brought with them problems of fire, litter and the destruction of vegetation.

The long-established conservation and forestry work of the Agriculture and Fish- eries Department provides a basis for more intensive management of the countryside on Hong Kong Island, Lantau and parts of the mainland—such as Tai Lam Chung, Shing Mun and Tai Po Kau. This work is now being expanded to serve additional areas such as the Sha Tau Kok peninsula and, in the near future, the Sai Kung peninsula.

The principal tasks involved in this countryside management include fire protec- tion, afforestation and woodland management, landscape repair and the protection of flora and fauna. Also government development plans are scrutinised for features which might diminish the natural assets of the countryside. Additional services are being provided specifically for visitors as part of a programme, started in 1972, for the development of the recreational potential of the countryside. This programme