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After being closed for more than four months for large-scale renovation work, the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre reopens today (July 20) with a new look and an interactive exhibition showing the impact of climate change in Hong Kong and across the globe.
"Climate change brings about severe weather conditions which pose an unprecedented challenge for human beings and ecosystems. This is the first country park visitor centre in Hong Kong designed with such a theme. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is thankful to the Hong Kong Observatory and the Polar Museum Foundation for their invaluable support and input to the contents of the exhibition," an AFCD spokesman said.
The 6 000 square-foot visitor centre utilises display panels, interactive touch-screen electronic devices, computer games and videos, that guide visitors through six zones, with sections giving an overview and global perspective of climate change; climate change in Hong Kong including records of extreme weather events; and the impact of climate change on local forests, biodiversity and the ecosystem. Specimens and rock samples collected from the Arctic and the Antarctic are also on display.
A special ceremony was held today to mark the newly renovated Centre's re-opening, led by the Acting Secretary for the Environment, Ms Christine Loh; the Acting Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, Miss Lau Sum-yee; Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Joseph Sham; founder of the Polar Museum Foundation, Dr Rebecca Lee; and chairman of the Green Power, Dr Eric Tsang; and chairperson of the Public Relations Committee of the Country and Marine Parks Board, Ms Tennessy Hui.
"We hope the visitor centre will raise public understanding and awareness of the impact of climate change. For our own benefit and that of future generations, people should start to protect the environment and care for nature, make good use of science and take remedial and rational action to create a better home in harmony with nature," the spokesman said.
Admission to the visitor centre is free. The centre's opening hours are from 9.30am to 4.30pm every day except Tuesdays and the first two days of the Lunar New Year. Guided tours for group visits will also be available through advance booking. For more information, please call 1823 or visit www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_lea/cou_lea_ven/taimoshan.html .
The ceremony of the Tai Mo Shan Country Park Visitor Centre is one of the signature events under the theme "Fresh Hong Kong" of the "Hong Kong: Our Home" Campaign.
Ends/Saturday, July 20, 2013
Issued at HKT 10:42
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