ENG-1990 — Page 410

THE ENVIRONMENT

transitional between brackish and oceanic. In some areas, notably the Tolo Harbour region, pollution associated with recent rapid urban development has significantly dec- imated the abundance and diversity of aquatic life. Pollution-sensitive organisms such as coral are now found only in a few clean yet remote oceanic areas in the north east. Nevertheless, various locations still serve as spawning and nursery grounds for many aquatic species, and these in turn attract transient predators such as mackerel, little tuna, dolphinfish, sailfish and sharks.

Sightings of sharks have been recorded in Hong Kong waters. Most are small to medium in size and pose little danger to humans. Bigger sharks have occasionally been sighted in Mirs Bay in the north east. Nevertheless, there have been no records of sharks attacking bathers in the past 10 years.

Four species of whale and eight species of dolphin have hitherto been recorded in Hong Kong waters and strandings occur quite frequently. The Black Finless Porpoise and the Chinese White Dolphin are the most common in terms of occurrence and strandings. In 1990, there were 11 strandings involving five porpoises and six dolphins.

Flora

Situated near the northern limit of the distribution of tropical Asian flora, Hong Kong has an abundant variety of plant life. It is estimated that there are about 2 600 species of vascular plants, both native and introduced.

Before the introduction of conservation measures, the hillsides were becoming in- creasingly bare of trees as a result of cutting, burning and exposure to the elements. On most, the only cover was coarse grass or scrub. Now, many slopes, especially those in the water-gathering grounds, have been planted with trees of both local and exotic species. These woodlands and other areas of countryside are protected and, in view of the growing numbers of people spending increasing amounts of their leisure time outdoors, they are being developed. In addition to making the countryside more beautiful, woodlands are important in the management of water catchments.

Remnants of the original forest cover, either scrub forest or well-developed woodlands, are still found in steep ravines. They have survived the destructive influences of man through their location in precipitous topography and the moist winter micro-climate.

Countryside Conservation and Management

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department is the principal government agency responsible for the conservation and management of Hong Kong's countryside. The Forests and Countryside Ordinance provides for the general protection and management of vegetation, and special protection is given to certain plants, including native Camellias, Magnolias, Orchids, Azaleas and the Chinese New Year Flower.

The Wild Animals Protection Ordinance prohibits hunting wild animals and restricts the entry of unauthorised members of the public into important wildlife habitats, the Mai Po Marshes and the Yim Tso Ha Egretry.

The Country Parks Ordinance provides for the designation, control and management of the most important areas of countryside as country parks, and enables them to be developed for recreational purposes. It gives particular protection to vegetation and wildlife. There are now 21 country parks, covering over 40 per cent of the land area in the territory.

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