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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (December 18) :

Question:

On 22 May this year, I asked a question about the proliferation of Mikania micrantha in Hong Kong. I notice that the situation has been deteriorating instead of being under control, as many plants have withered after being strangled by Mikania micrantha. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the locations and the total area of land affected by Mikania micrantha proliferation, and how the present situation compares with those six and 12 months ago respectively;

(b) of the names of the country parks affected by Mikania micrantha proliferation and the extent of the damage arising therefrom;

(c) whether it has measures to encourage land-owners to clear any Mikania micrantha growing on their land, with a view to curbing its proliferation; if it has, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

(d) when it will eradicate problem of the proliferation of Mikania micrantha; and whether it has devised active measures to curb the proliferation of the plant; if it has, of the effectiveness of these measures; if not, the reasons for that?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) According to information available to us, the locations and the total area of land affected by Mikania micrantha have not changed much in the past year. Within country parks, the plant can be found at their fringes and along roadsides. The total area affected is about 20 hectares, or less than 0.05 per cent of the total country park area. The plant can also be found in about 80 hectares of land outside country parks, mainly at derelict fields, roadsides and hillsides at Tai Po, North District, Yuen Long, Sai Kung and Pokfulam.

(b) Mikania micrantha can be found at the fringes and roadsides of Pat Sin Leng Country Park, Tai Lam Country Park, Shing Mun Country Park and Tai Mo Shan Country Park. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) closely monitors the situation and implements weeding programmes whenever necessary. The growth of the plant is kept under control. There are no signs of proliferation or serious damage to other plants.

(c) The relevant government departments will seek landowners' support and co-operation where weeding of Mikania micrantha is required. For example, AFCD has sought the concerned landowners' consent to clear the plant on some private land next to country parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interests (SSSIs). Weeding programmes have also been co-organised by other government departments and the residents of Belair Gardens in Sha Tin.

To enhance public knowledge about Mikania micrantha and encourage landowners to take proper action against proliferation of the plant, AFCD is preparing an information note to tell members of the public the adverse impact Mikania micrantha can cause to other plants and how they could identify and remove it. The note will soon be available at AFCD's website and made available to the public.

(d) The relevant government departments will continue to do all that is practicable to keep the problem under control, particularly at sites of high ecological value. In addition, AFCD and the Guangdong Forestry Bureau are conducting a joint study to explore more effective means for controlling the plant. The study is scheduled for completion by the end of 2003.

End/Wednesday, December 18, 2002

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