The new nature conservation policy would regulate, protect and manage natural resources that were important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong in a sustainable manner, the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, said today (November 11).

This would also take into account economic and social considerations.

Speaking at a media session, Dr Liao said the new policy aimed to better achieve the nature conservation objectives, in particular to enhance conservation of ecologically important sites which were in private ownership.

After reviewing the existing nature conservation policy and measures, the Government carried out a three-month public consultation from July to October last year. A total of 156 written submissions were received during the consultation period with most respondents supporting the need to protect the natural environment and calling for increased efforts in conserving the natural heritage of Hong Kong.

Under the new policy:

*There is a new policy statement with clearer vision and policy objectives;

*A scoring system has been adopted for assessing the relative ecological importance of sites with the objective of identifying a list of priority sites for enhanced conservation;

*A pilot scheme will be implemented for the two new measures to be adopted for the priority sites identified, viz. management agreements with landowners and public-private partnership (PPP);

*Existing nature conservation measures will continue and be enhanced;

*The Wetland Advisory Committee will be converted into a nature conservation sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE);

*Conservation education and publicity will be enhanced, and,

*Establishment of a nature conservation trust will be further explored.

"In drawing up the new nature conservation policy, we have taken into account the views received during the public consultation," Dr Liao said.

"We have convened an Expert Group to review the scoring system proposed in the consultation document and based on the agreed system, identify a list of 12 priority sites for enhanced conservation by new measures."

The sites include Ramsar Site, Sha Lo Tung, Tai Ho, Fung Yuen, Luk Keng Marsh, Mui Tsz Lam and Mau Ping, Wu Kau Tang, Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung, Deep Bay Wetland outside Ramsar Site, Cheung Sheung, Yung Shue O and Sham Chung.

"A pilot scheme will be implemented to better evaluate the effectiveness of the two new conservation measures, viz. management agreements and PPP. The Environment and Conservation Fund Committee has agreed to allocate $5 million to implement pilot management agreement projects," Dr Liao said.

Under the management agreement measure, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including green groups, educational institutions and community organisations, may apply for funding from the Government for entering into management agreements with the landowners for enhancing conservation of the priority sites identified.

Under PPP, developments at an agreed scale will be allowed at the ecologically less sensitive portion of any of the priority sites identified, provided that the developer undertakes to conserve and manage the rest of the site that is ecologically more sensitive on a long-term basis.

"We will allow six months for submission of pilot management agreement and PPP proposals with effect from December 1, 2004, and aim to announce the selected pilot projects within six months. We will review the pilot projects before deciding on the way forward," Dr Liao said.

"We will also strengthen our efforts in existing nature conservation measures, including designation of country parks and marine parks, and implementation of conservation plans for important habitats and species. In the light of the public comments received, we agree to further pursue the option of tightening the existing measures relating to conservation zonings on town plans that was considered as impracticable in the consultation document.

"We will review the existing land use zonings of ecologically important sites and liaise with the planning authority to see whether there is scope to better conserve the sites.

"However, in view of the financial and land resource implications, and the implementation complexities and difficulties involved, we remain of the view that the land resumption, land exchange, and off-site mitigation options are impracticable and will not be further pursued," Dr Liao said.

Under the new policy, to enhance ACE's role in nature conservation, the Wetland Advisory Committee, which advises the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) on matters concerning wetland conservation, will be converted into a nature conservation sub-committee under ACE with effect from its new term commencing on January 1, 2005.

The Government will also enhance public education and publicity on the importance and significance of conserving biological diversity, and the correct attitude towards wildlife.

"We will work closely with NGOs in enhancing conservation education for the public, and will also work together with the relevant bureaux/departments to raise their nature conservation awareness," Dr Liao said.

"We will further explore the idea of setting up a nature conservation trust in Hong Kong especially when the pilot PPP projects are implemented. The trust can facilitate pooling of funds from all sectors to sustain nature conservation efforts and was recommended in many of the submissions received during the public consultation," she said.

Details of the new nature conservation policy and the Guides to Application for the pilot scheme for management agreements and PPP have been uploaded on the websites of the Environment, Transport and Works Bureau (ETWB) and AFCD. The information is also available at ETWB, various venues of AFCD and the District Offices. The Consultation Report can also be downloaded from the websites of ETWB and AFCD.

Ends/Thursday, November 11, 2004

NNNN