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Lung Fu Shan will be designated as the 23rd country park in Hong Kong following approval of the draft map by the Chief Executive in Council last month.

A spokesman for the Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) today (Wednesday) said that this new country park, located on the crest of Lung Fu Shan to the northwest of Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island, was covered by well-established woodland of high conservation and landscape value.

This 47-hectare new country park with woodland also provides a scenic backdrop to the residential and commercial districts on Hong Kong Island.

The area was identified as one of the potential country park sites in the Territorial Development Strategy Review in 1993, and a Gazette notification that the draft map of the park was ready for public inspection was published on June 5 this year.

With the designation of the country park, the woodland there, as well as a historical military site "Pinewood Battery" will be protected under the management of AFD.

AFD will improve and maintain the existing footpaths inside the park. Facilities such as shelters, tables and benches, information boards and view compasses will also be provided for visitors.

Meanwhile, the replacement map of the Ma On Shan Country Park has also been approved by the Chief Executive in Council. About 0.1 hectare of land at Nai Chung had been excluded from the country park for the purpose of Sai Sha Road widening project.

The spokesman noted that the excision of this abandoned agricultural land which was covered with shrubs had no adverse environmental implication, but was necessary for the road widening work to improve traffic condition along Sai Sha Road.

The maps and designation orders of Lung Fu Shan and Ma On Shan Country Parks will be published in the Gazette on Friday (December 18).

End/Wednesday, December 16, 1998

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