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The draft maps of the Sai Kung East Country Park, the Kam Shan Country Park and the Tai Lam Country Park are available for public inspection for 60 days from today (October 26).
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the draft maps were prepared by the Country and Marine Parks Authority for the incorporation of the country park enclaves of Tai Long Sai Wan (Sai Wan), Kam Shan and Yuen Tun into three existing country parks, namely the Sai Kung East Country Park, the Kam Shan Country Park and the Tai Lam Country Park respectively.
About 17 hectares in size, the Sai Wan enclave is proposed to be incorporated into the Sai Kung East Country Park. The site is endowed with rich natural resources and landscape components, including a natural and unpolluted beach, well-established woodland, natural streams, and mangrove stands established at the lower stream courses. The combination of these natural resources and landscape components provides an area of outstanding scenic quality. The site is a popular spot where country park visitors stop for a rest to enjoy the natural scenery before proceeding to other parts of the Sai Kung East Country Park.
It is proposed to incorporate Kam Shan enclave which is less than one hectare into the Kam Shan Country Park. The site is located at the upland near the peak of Kam Shan and mainly covered by dense shrubby woodland. At its centre is a paved area which once had telecommunication facilities. The paved area has been using by hikers and morning walkers for resting, gathering and performing various outdoor activities.
The Yuen Tun enclave is proposed to be incorporated into the Tai Lam Country Park. The site is about 20 hectares in size and has been allocated to the Civil Aid Service for use as an outdoor training camp since it was opened in 1975. While the camp occupies only part of the land, the remaining area is mainly covered by natural secondary woodland.
"Designation of the respective enclaves as part of the country parks will improve the management of the sites and will help conserve the natural environment, protect the diversified habitats and preserve the scenic landscape," the spokesman said.
"Upon designation, the AFCD will provide suitable facilities which fit the setting of the sites for general management, recreation and education uses, landscape and ecological conservation, etc."
Copies of the draft maps are ready for public inspection free-of-charge for 60 days at the designated offices during office hours as listed in the gazette notice. Details are available on the department's website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_wha/cou_wha.html
"Any person aggrieved by any of the draft maps may send a written statement of objection, stating the nature of and the reasons for the objection, and proposed alteration to the draft maps, if any, to the Country and Marine Parks Authority and the Secretary of the Country and Marine Parks Board at 5/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, within 60 days from the date of gazettal," the spokesman said.
Copies of the draft maps are also available for sale to the public at $34 each at AFCD headquarters, 6/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon.
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 13:18
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