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Members of the public are reminded to express their views on the Government's review of the nature conservation policy before the conclusion of its three-month public consultation exercise this Saturday (October 18).

The public consultation exercise is to seek public views on the introduction of a scoring system for assessing, in a more objective and systematic manner, the relative ecological importance of sites with the objective of reaching a consensus within the community on the priority sites for enhanced conservation; and practicable ways to better conserve ecologically important sites that are under private ownership within limited resources.

"The natural environment is an asset that belongs to every member of the community. We should respect the wildlife and avoid causing any damages or disturbance to them. Public views will help us map out a more comprehensive nature conservation policy and improvement measures that will benefit not only the current generation but also our future generations," a spokesman for the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau said today (October 15).

The consultation document and details of the consultation exercise can be downloaded from the website of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau - www.etwb.gov.hk. Consultation materials are also available at the district offices.

Views can be sent by letter, facsimile or e-mail to the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau at the following address on or before October 18, 2003:

Mailing address: 10/F, Citibank Tower, 3 Garden Road, Central

Facsimile number: 2136 3321

E-mail address: nature_views@etwb.gov.hk

End/Wednesday, October 15, 2003

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