ENG-2020 — Page 346

20

Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

roadside amenity areas. In 2020, the department planted 2.77 million trees, shrubs and other plants, and enhanced the landscaping at about 21 hectares of park and roadside amenity areas.

Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park occupies 8.16 hectares at the former military barracks in Central District. The park features flowing water as its central motif and has artificial waterfalls, streams and ponds. Its main facilities include an aviary, a conservatory, a sports centre, a squash centre, a children's playground, an Olympic Square, a vantage point and a restaurant. The aviary resembles a tropical rainforest in which about 530 birds of nearly 65 species are kept. The conservatory's three sections, namely the Display Plant House, Dry Plant House and Humid Plant House, have adjustable environmental control equipment to simulate different climatic conditions for plants from arid and tropical regions. About 500 carnivorous plants representing over 50 species were featured in a carnivorous plants exhibition at the Display Plant House from December 2019 to January 2020.

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, developed between 1861 and 1871, is the territory's oldest public garden and occupies 5.6 hectares overlooking Central. In 2020, the animal collection comprised about 150 birds of more than 30 species, over 20 reptiles of five species, and about 75 mammals of 14 species, mainly primates. More than 900 species of trees, shrubs, creepers and foliage plants thrive in the garden, where the medicinal plant collection and a greenhouse promote public interest in about 500 species of herbs, orchids, ferns and indoor plants. An education and exhibition centre offers guided visits and displays zoological specimens.

Country and Marine Parks

Some 40 per cent of Hong Kong's total land area is designated as country parks and special areas for nature conservation, outdoor recreation and nature education. The 24 country parks. and 22 special areas provide extensive hiking trails, barbecue, picnic and camp sites and visitor centres. Visitors can learn about the beauty and diversity of local marine life at six marine parks and one marine reserve.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department manages the country parks, special areas, marine parks, marine reserve, Hong Kong Wetland Park and Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.

Hong Kong Wetland Park

The 61-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park stretches from the northern part of Tin Shui Wai to the southern tip of the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site. It is a special area designated under the Country Parks Ordinance. The park promotes wetland conservation, education and nature-based tourism, and gives visitors the opportunity to appreciate wetlands and local wildlife in an open and natural setting.

286