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The "Our Favourite Old and Valuable Trees (OVTs)" Contest organised by the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section of the Development Bureau has concluded successfully. Twelve OVT candidates were elected in four categories, namely "Remarkable Form and Size", "Botanical and Ecological Value", ä©•Historical and Cultural Significance" and "Contribution in Landscape Setting". Among them, the Chinese Banyan (OVT Registration No.: LCSD YL/6) at Shui Mei Village Playground, Yuen Long, received the highest overall votes.
Speaking at the prize presentation ceremony today (November 15), the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, said, "The contest aims to enhance the care and appreciation of OVTs in Hong Kong by the public, and to encourage people to conserve and not to harm them. Response to the online voting of the contest was overwhelming, with about 4 800 votes received. Half of the votes came from students, showing that our youngsters also care for the OVTs very much."
"There are approximately 500 OVTs in Hong Kong. They are valuable natural resources and cultural testaments. The Government will continue to promote the standard of tree management and to strengthen public education and community engagement, so as to ensure that these valuable natural resources are maintained properly," he continued.
The online voting was held from May 30 to September 12 this year. There were four categories, namely "Remarkable Form and Size", "Botanical and Ecological Value", "Historical and Cultural Significance" and "Contribution in Landscape Setting". The three OVT candidates with the highest votes in each category and the OVT candidate with the highest overall votes in the voting were elected as "Our Favourite OVTs".
After the prize presentation ceremony, the Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section also organised a seminar on tree management. Professor Jim Chi-yung of the Department of Geography of the University of Hong Kong, and the Executive Director of the Conservancy Association, Mr Ken So, were invited to share their experience in planting of and caring for trees.
Details of the elected OVTs can be found in the annex. For more information about the programme and OVTs, please visit the bureau's tree website (www.trees.gov.hk/treescontest) or the Register of OVTs of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (ovt.lcsd.gov.hk/ovt/intro.jsp?lang=en).
Ends/Saturday, November 15, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:30
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