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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (September 20) launched a public education campaign with the theme of "Take your litter home" to encourage hikers to take their waste away and play a part in protecting the natural environment of the country parks.
Officiating at the launching ceremony of the campaign, the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, said, "The country parks are popular leisure spots for members of the public and draw more than 11 million visitors every year. The waste collected last year in country parks amounted to some 3,800 tonnes."
Mr Wong noted that discarded items, such as tissues, plastic bottles, food packages and plastic foam containers, can be easily blown to hillsides, valleys, reservoirs and coastal areas and are difficult to clean up. Wild animals in country parks may also scavenge for food from litter bins and recycling bins. The discarded items therefore affect not only the natural environment and scenery, but also the habits of wild animals.
Mr Wong urged hikers to take away their waste and avoid leaving any litter behind in the country parks. Moreover, waste reduction at source is of utmost importance. With appropriate preparations for the trip, such as carrying reusable water bottles, food containers and towels and using fewer single-use items, everyone can help waste less and protect the environment.
With a view to nurturing among the public a habit of taking away waste, the AFCD this month launched a one-year trial scheme at Tai Po Kau Special Area and four selected hiking trails, namely the Ma On Shan Country Trail, the Tai Lam Chung Country Trail, the Dragon's Back on Hong Kong Island and the Lantau Trail Section 3. Except at main entrances, no litter bins will be placed in the special area and along these trails.
To promote the "Take your litter home" message and keep the country parks clean, the AFCD has adopted a multi-pronged approach. Banners and posters will be displayed at the trial areas and main entrances of the trails to step up publicity. Nature Ambassadors will be deployed to remind hikers to dispose of waste outside the country parks in order to help them build up a habit of taking away their waste. Meanwhile, Country Park Rangers will step up patrols and enforcement. The AFCD will also closely monitor the hygienic conditions of the trial areas and strengthen cleaning when necessary. Data will be collected for reviewing the effectiveness of the trial scheme in future.
The public education campaign is jointly organised by the AFCD and 17 green groups and hiking groups. The AFCD will disseminate the message of taking waste home through a range of exhibitions, seminars, activities at the visitor centres of the country parks and school visits. In the coming few months, the supporting organisations and the country park volunteers will organise several waste collection activities to appeal to the public to generate less waste.
Ends/Sunday, September 20, 2015
Issued at HKT 11:43
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