ENG-2003 — Page 513

RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS

Each of the seven hostels is appealing in its own way as a base for hiking, mountaineering, swimming, diving, kayaking, camping, barbecuing and the many other pastimes both active and passive that appeal to members. During the year, a new indoor activities hall was completed at the Sze Lok Yuen hostel on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan and fire-safety upgrading works were undertaken in the Mount Davis hostel on Hong Kong Island and the Mong Tung Wan hostel on Lantau Island. Other hostels are located at Pak Sha O and Chek Keng in Sai Kung, Ngong Ping on Lantau and Tai Mei Tuk in Tai Po. The HKYHA has an active volunteer services group drawn from within its membership and during the year this group organised a number of special events based on one or other of the association's hostels in addition to its work within the community at large.

Country and Marine Parks

Some 38 per cent of Hong Kong's total land area has been designated as country parks. The 23 country parks provide extensive hiking trails, barbecue sites, picnic sites, camp sites and visitor centres which attracted over 11 million visitors in 2003. There are four marine parks and one marine reserve for the conservation of marine life. In these marine parks, visitors may appreciate and receive educational information on the beauty and diversity of marine life in Hong Kong. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department manages the country parks, the marine parks and the marine reserve.

Green Promotion/Initiatives

Green Hong Kong Campaign

To enhance public awareness of the importance of 'greening' the environment, various community involvement projects and educational activities were organised in 2003. These included the District Green Hong Kong Ambassadors Scheme, community planting days, Greening Hong Kong Activities Subsidy Scheme, theme flower shows, horticultural courses and seminars. The Greening School Subsidy Scheme was also organised to promote greening initiatives at schools and it attracted the participation of 746 schools and kindergartens. In addition, 40 schools took part in the 'School Planting Plot in Park' Scheme and made arrangement for some of their students to practise gardening under the guidance of LCSD staff and their teachers. A total of 276 500 students from 934 schools participated in the 'One Person, One Flower' Programme in which impatiens seedlings were distributed to students for growing at home or in schools. The Best Landscape Award for Private Property Development was launched in December to promote greening in private property developments.

Hong Kong Flower Show

The Hong Kong Flower Show, an annual region-wide event, is organised for the enjoyment of the public and to promote a green culture in society. Participants range from horticultural associations and floral art clubs - both local and from the Mainland - to green groups, District Councils, schools and members of the public. The show has been growing in size, content and popularity every year. Apart from numerous pleasing landscape displays, artistic floral arrangements and colourful horticultural exhibits, the show provides many other fringe activities. These include talks and seminars, demonstrations, guided tours, musical and cultural performances, photographic and drawing competitions, horticultural workshops and family fun

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