ENG-1995 — Page 465

THE ENVIRONMENT

unauthorised members of the public to important wildlife habitats, the Mai Po Marshes and the Yim Tso Ha Egretry.

The Country Parks Ordinance provides for the designation, control and manage- ment of the most important areas of countryside as country parks and special areas, and enables them to be developed for recreational, conservation and educational purposes. It gives particular protection to vegetation and wildlife. Hong Kong's 21 country parks and 14 special areas cover about 40 per cent of the land area. Overall enforcement of the ordinances is carried out by nature wardens and park wardens who also provide information at visitor centres and escort groups on guided visits. Besides general conservation of the countryside, Hong Kong has adopted the concept of identifying and conserving sites of special scientific interest, such as a site where a rare species of tree or butterfly can be found. In all, 58 sites have been identified. The Agriculture and Fisheries Department is also responsible for the co-ordination, supervision and implementation of off-site ecological mitigation measures, recommended by consultants, to alleviate adverse effects of the new airport and related projects.

Marine Parks and Marine Conservation

After many years of careful study and wide consultation, the Marine Parks Ordin- ance was enacted in May 1995. It provides the necessary statutory powers for the designation and management of marine parks and marine reserves in Hong Kong. This is a major step in the protection of the marine environment for conservation, education and recreation.

The Director of Agriculture and Fisheries is the Country and Marine Parks Authority. With the advice of the Country and Marine Parks Board and its committees, he is responsible for designating and managing marine parks and marine reserves and the enforcement of the Marine Parks Ordinance.

Three marine parks and one marine reserve are planned in Hong Kong. They are the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park, and Cape D'Aguilar Marine Reserve. They cover a total sea area of about 2 160 hectares.

Meteorological Services

Royal Observatory

The Royal Observatory was established in 1883, mainly to provide scientific infor- mation for the safe navigation of ships. Since then, it has evolved in line with the community. Its studies and services cover weather forecasting, hydrometeorology, climatology, physical oceanography, aviation and marine meteorology, and radia- tion monitoring and assessment. The Observatory also operates the official time. standard for Hong Kong, provides basic astronomical information and maintains a seismological monitoring network.

Weather forecasts and warnings of hazardous weather are the responsibility of the Central Forecasting Office at the Observatory's headquarters. Marine weather forecasts cover the South China Sea and East China Sea. Forecasts and advice are also provided for the civil aviation, business and industrial communities, port and container terminal operators, and the oil-prospecting industry.

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