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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (January 18) :
Question:
Regarding the plantation of Wedelia trilobata in Hong Kong and its impact on Hong Kong's native plants, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the quantity of Wedelia trilobata planted by the authorities in each of the past three years and the locations of the plantation;
(b) whether it has assessed the impact on the native plants before planting Wedelia trilobata; if so, of the details and results of the assessment; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) whether it will remove Wedelia trilobata from the vegetation covers which have been seriously upset by this plant and restore them to their original form by replanting plants of native species; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Government planted approximately 272,000, 872,000, and 783,000 Wedelia trilobata (Wt) in 2003, 2004 and 2005 respectively. The locations and numbers of plantation are set out at Annex.
(b) Wt is a hardy groundcover. In 1999, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) conducted trial planting schemes on a severely eroded slope at Braemar Hill. While other native species or hardy pioneer species failed, the scheme using Wt as groundcover and interplanting with other native and pioneer species produced satisfactory results. In Hong Kong, Wt is mostly used for planting in places with a harsh environment where other vegetation species generally do not grow well, such as for restoration of eroded hill slopes. Unlike invasive plants such as Mikania, Wt does not disperse by wind nor climb up other plants. Wt planted by various government departments are confined to the planting sites and no uncontrollable spreading of this plant has been observed.
(c) As we have not observed any sign of damage to other species owing to the growth of Wt in the planted sites, no restoration programme is required.
Ends/Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Issued at HKT 12:38
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