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Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Sophie Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, at the Legislative Council meeting today (June 20) :
Question:
On curbing the proliferation of Mikania micrantha, also known as "the plant killer", will the Government inform this Council:
(a) as the Government has advised that Mikania micrantha is found mainly at derelict fields, abandoned fishponds, hillsides and woodland fringe in the New Territories, whether it has found Mikania micrantha at the hillsides of Hong Kong Island or Kowloon; whether it has sent staff or contractors to conduct regular inspections in these areas;
(b) of the number of contractors currently engaged to remove Mikania micrantha; and
(c) what members of the public should do and which government departments they should inform should they find Mikania micrantha in public areas; and whether it has reviewed the adequacy of the information disseminated by the Government in this respect?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Mikania micrantha is commonly found at places like derelict fields, fishponds, roadsides as well as hillsides near villages in the New Territories. Although it has also been found in some hillside areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, the spreading of Mikania micrantha in these areas is relatively not serious.
Relevant government departments carry out annual inspections and maintenance work for the plants within their facilities and on slopes under their management, including monitoring the growth of Mikania micrantha. For instance, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) regularly inspects the proliferation of Mikania micrantha at country parks, special areas and sites of special scientific interest. District Lands Offices have also stepped up inspections at the areas under their management by conducting at least two regular inspections annually at places where Mikania micrantha is frequently found. The departments concerned will remove Mikania micrantha promptly if found. For example, the respective District Lands Offices have removed Mikania micrantha on government land near Pak Fuk Road in North Point, Fei Tsui Road in Chai Wan, Mount Butler Road in Jardine's Lookout and Chun Yan Street in Wong Tai Sin in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon after sighting it at these places.
(b) Removing Mikania micrantha is part of the routine duties of the AFCD and the contractors concerned. They regularly inspect areas under their management and remove Mikania micrantha if found. However, the Government does not engage contractors specifically for handling and removing Mikania micrantha.
(c) If members of the public find Mikania micrantha in public areas, they can report the case by calling the 1823 Citizen's Easy Link. The staff on duty will answer the enquiries and refer the case to the relevant department for follow-up action. Members of the public can also contact the AFCD to seek professional advice. Moreover, the AFCD has prepared the Nature Conservation Practice Note on Clearing Mikania, which explains the methods of clearing Mikania in detail. The AFCD has also set up a website on clearing Mikania to help the public know more about Mikania and the methods of clearing it.
Ends/Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Issued at HKT 11:55
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