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Paying respect to ancestors in an environmentally friendly way
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     With the Ching Ming Festival around the corner, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 1) encouraged grave-sweepers to adopt more environmentally friendly ways to pay respect to their ancestors instead of burning incense.

     "Members of the public can consider paying tribute to their ancestors by observing a moment of silence, expressing thoughts in writing, or offering flowers, etc. These will help preserve the cleanliness and serenity of the resting places, and will also prevent hill fires and damage to nature," the spokesman said.

     Members of the public can also express their affection and respect for their departed relatives and friends through a memorial webpage at the department's Internet Memorial Service website (www.memorial.gov.hk). They can place virtual flowers and offerings on their ancestors' memorial webpage with just a click on their computers or mobile phones at any time and anywhere.

     The spokesman also appealed for public co-operation to keep the environment of public cemeteries and columbaria clean. People should clear stagnant water and rubbish before leaving and should not leave behind any containers such as vases, lunch boxes, drink cans, plastic bags and other containers to prevent accumulation of water.

     As a precaution against mosquitoes, grave-sweepers are advised to wear long-sleeved tops and trousers and apply insect repellent to exposed parts of their body.

     The FEHD will provide special cleansing services at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival period. "Our staff will clear undergrowth, remove stagnant water in incense burners and containers, and level the ground surface to prevent accumulation of water," the FEHD spokesman said.

     "We will also deploy more staff to remove rubbish, empty bottles and containers, while providing additional litter bins and toilet facilities to keep the environment clean."

     In addition to anti-mosquito announcements, notices and banners appealing for public co-operation will be displayed at public cemeteries and columbaria during the festival. Managers of private cemeteries have also been advised to take similar anti-mosquito precautions.

     The spokesman also urged grave-sweepers to take extra precautions when joss sticks and paper are to be burnt. This should take place inside designated joss paper furnaces or iron buckets, and grave-sweepers should ensure that all fires have gone out before leaving.

     Officers from the department will step up patrols at public cemeteries and columbaria during the period. Grave-sweepers should remain calm and immediately notify the officers on-site in the event of a hill fire.

     The spokesman also appealed to grave-sweepers to make maximum use of public transport during the Ching Ming Festival. Access to Cape Collinson Crematorium, Diamond Hill Crematorium, Kwai Chung Crematorium, Fu Shan Crematorium, Wo Hop Shek Crematorium and Wo Hop Shek Cemetery will be closed to all vehicles, except those with special permits.

     Details of the special traffic and transport arrangements at cemeteries and crematoria during the Ching Ming Festival can be found on the Transport Department website at www.td.gov.hk.

Ends/Sunday, April 1, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:01

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