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The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has planted about 4,500 trees and 1,100,000 shrubs in Kwun Tong under the Greening Master Plan (GMP) initiative since the commencement of the works in September 2009.
Officiating at a planting ceremony today (April 1) for the greening works in Kwun Tong, the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Hon Chi-keung, said that, apart from Kwun Tong, Phase 3 of the GMP also covered other urban areas, namely Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po , Western District, Southern District and Eastern District. He said he expected that all these greening works would be completed by mid-2011.
"With the completion of all greening works in these urban areas, more than 19,000 trees and 4.3 million shrubs will have been planted under the GMP initiative and the urban environment will be significantly improved. Further, in view of the general support of the relevant District Councils and the public for the urban GMP initiative, the Government will extend the initiative to cover the New Territories," Mr Hon said.
The GMP provides an overall greening framework for an area by identifying suitable locations for planting with appropriate themes and species to achieve a coherent design and a sustainable effect. The Government established an inter-departmental Greening Master Plan Committee in August 2004 to oversee the development and implementation of the GMP in urban districts. The first phase, covering greening works in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, was completed in 2007. The second phase, covering greening works in Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, was completed in 2009. Phase 3 covers the remaining urban areas, namely Kowloon City, Wong Tai Sin, Sham Shui Po, Western District, Southern District and Eastern District, to be completed by mid- 2011.
Mr Hon thanked the Kwun Tong District Council, district organisations and the local community for their advice and support during the design and implementation of the project. He also thanked the residents for their understanding for any inconvenience caused by the works.
The event was attended by the Deputy Secretary for Development (Works), Mrs Jessie Ting, Chairman of Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Chan Chung Bun, Kwun Tong District Officer, Mr Au Hing Yuen, Kwun Tong District Council members, GMP Committee members and representatives of the local community and relevant government departments.
Ends/Friday, April 1, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:08
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