ENG-1999 — Page 460

390

THE ENVIRONMENT

for inert construction and demolition material disposal. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department promotes energy efficiency and conservation. The Marine Department clears floating refuse and oil from the harbour and enforces the law on oil pollution.

The Urban and Regional Services Departments, which were responsible to the provisional municipal councils, collected refuse and maintained environmental hygiene.

In order to streamline both the policy responsibilities and the administrative controls, major institutional changes were finalised at the end of the year to be put in effect on January 1, 2000. A new Bureau, the Environment and Food Bureau, was formed. The EPD, the renamed Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and a new Food and Environmental Hygiene Department would report directly to it. The new department was created by merging the relevant functions of the Urban and Regional Services Departments as well as transferring personnel and functions from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department and the Department of Health.

Government spending on the environment in 1999-2000 is expected to make up 2.2 per cent of public spending, totalling $6.07 billion, compared with 2.34 per cent in 1998-99.

Environmental Challenges

Hong Kong's older urban areas present considerable environmental challenges. These areas consist of dense housing mixed with commerce and industry and an infrastructure that falls short of modern standards. Incompatible land uses stand cheek by jowl; air and water pollution abound; noise and waste disposal problems are

common.

Factors such as scarce habitable land, concentrated transport networks, immense housing demand and a lack of environmental concern in the past mean noise from road and rail traffic remains a major problem despite improvement measures. Construction noise is also a great concern for residents living near development sites. Some waterways in the New Territories are still severely polluted. A few rivers in the Deep Bay area remain little better than open sewers. They lack normal aquatic life and their pollution can be harmful to people coming into direct contact with them. Such rivers are a serious public health hazard where they pass through villages and new towns.

Industrial and commercial activities in Hong Kong have degraded the environment. The penalty is now being paid in the form of adverse ecological changes, a heavy but usually hidden financial burden on the community, and great risks to community health.

The Government's pollution control strategy aims not to compromise industry and commerce, but to work in partnership with firms so that all may benefit from a better environment. Direct economic benefits can often be gained from activities such as recycling and the adoption of clean technology in manufacturing. These methods are better than pollution control techniques that have to apply after a waste material has become a potential pollutant.

The Government encourages industry and commerce to recognise the benefits of waste minimisation and pollution prevention and to work to achieve these with their