The Government gazetted a designation order today (November 24) under the Country Parks Ordinance (Cap. 208) to designate the Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP).
      
     Robin's Nest is located at Sha Tau Kok in the northeastern New Territories. The designated country park, adjacent to the boundary between Hong Kong and the Mainland, occupies an area of about 530 hectares. Consisting of secondary woodland, shrubland and upland grassland, the RNCP is rich in biodiversity with many plant and animal species of high conservation value, such as red azalea, incense tree, Chinese grassbird and Chinese pipistrelle.
      
     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said, "Designating Robin's Nest as a country park will confer on the Country and Marine Parks Authority statutory power and responsibilities to carry out management measures in the area concerned for conservation, recreation and education purposes. Regulated under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations, the RNCP's biodiversity, natural environment, scenic landscape and cultural heritage resources will be better conserved. In addition, the RNCP is adjacent to the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area, contributing to the creation of a cross-boundary ecological corridor between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, and promoting ecological integration between the two places."
      
     The spokesman further said, "The Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine site within the RNCP will be revitalised as an open museum to showcase the mining history and bat ecology to members of the public. Recreational facilities such as a hiking trail network, picnic sites and viewing points, together with supporting facilities such as notice boards, directional signs and rain shelters, will be provided at suitable locations in the park." 
      
     The draft map of the RNCP was made available for public inspection from December 2, 2022, to January 30, 2023. During the period, four objections were received. After the conduct of a hearing held on March 28, 2023, the Country and Marine Parks Board rejected all the objections in whole.
      
     On June 27, 2023, the Chief Executive in Council approved the draft map of the RNCP. The approved map was then deposited in the Land Registry on August 4, 2023, in accordance with the Ordinance.
      
     The designation order in respect of the approved map of the RNCP will be tabled at the Legislative Council on November 29, 2023, for negative vetting, and is expected to commence on March 1, 2024.

Ends/Friday, November 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 9:16

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