AFCD announces arrangements at ecotourism hotspots for Mainland's Labour Day Golden Week (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
High Island Reservoir East Dam
The AFCD has made proactive arrangements to strengthen the management of the East Dam area of High Island Reservoir by deploying additional manpower. To prevent visitors from approaching dangerous areas beyond the Po Pin Chau viewing platform, the AFCD, in collaboration with the Architectural Services Department, has completed the installation of additional railings at the viewing platform. During the Mainland's Labour Day Golden Week, in addition to the deployment of additional staff for daily patrol and enforcement, the AFCD will use drones equipped with broadcasting functions to conduct surveillance regularly from above the Po Pin Chau viewing platform and remind visitors not to cross the railings. The AFCD will disseminate visitor flow information for the East Dam area via the ''Enjoy Hiking" Information on Visitor Flow at East Dam of High Island Reservoir webpage to help visitors better plan their trips. When necessary, temporary crowd control measures will be implemented at the entrance of the High Island Geo Trail - Po Pin Chau Section to prevent overcrowding at the Po Pin Chau viewing platform and along the hiking trail.
Campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung
The AFCD will deploy additional staff day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use drones and CCTV systems to assist in monitoring the campsites. The AFCD staff on-site will enhance publicity on safe hiking, caring for the environment, animals and plants, maintaining cleanliness, and observing camping behaviour and etiquette. They will also strengthen cleaning and waste management efforts around campsites.
The AFCD will provide strainers for collecting food residues outside the Ham Tin public toilet and will, on a trial basis, lend small grill stands to campers in need at Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites to help maintain campsite cleanliness.
Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island
The coastal areas of Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island are currently not designated as country parks, marine parks, or marine reserves. The AFCD is currently promoting environmental protection awareness among visitors through various publicity and educational efforts.
The AFCD has installed footfall counters at the pier of Sharp Island and will use drones to monitor the beach and coastal areas. Additional AFCD staff will patrol along the coastline daily from around 9am to 6pm, including beaches, shores and popular snorkelling spots, with enhanced patrols co-ordinated with the kaito ferry schedule and daytime low tide periods. Frontline staff will immediately advise and explain correct practices to visitors upon spotting any potential behaviours that could cause ecological damage, such as damaging, disturbing, feeding, or collecting marine life, or entering the water near corals.
In addition, the AFCD will conduct joint patrols with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) during the holiday to remind visitors not to litter, and the FEHD will also strengthen the cleaning of public areas on the island. The AFCD will conduct joint sea patrols with the Marine Department and the Police to maintain order.
At the beach and coastal areas, the AFCD will collaborate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up public education booths to promote marine conservation messages and guidelines for appreciating nature. Snorkelling guides and kayaking guides will also patrol the nearshore waters to remind snorkelers to follow coral-friendly routes for entering and exiting the water to avoid accidentally trampling on corals.
The AFCD has installed footfall counters at Shui Hau on Lantau Island to monitor visitor flow. During the holiday, the AFCD staff will patrol the Shui Hau sandflat and use drones to monitor the sandflat and nearby coastal areas.
Working in collaboration with the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong, the AFCD will also organise public education activities at the Shui Hau sandflat, including setting up an educational booth, distributing conservation leaflets, and engaging visitors with information on how to protect horseshoe crabs and the surrounding coastal environment.
Reminders on hiking safety and protecting the natural environment
The AFCD urges visitors to pay attention to hiking safety, follow outdoor etiquette and codes, and use only officially managed and maintained trails in country parks. Information boards and direction signs have been placed at appropriate locations in country parks, and warning signs have been erected near locations with dangerous terrains to remind visitors not to get close to dangerous areas to avoid accidents.
Visitors should follow the signs and stay on official trails, and must not cross railings or stand close to cliff edges, coastal fringes, steep slopes and other dangerous locations. Visitors must prioritise their personal safety and should not take risks by using shortcuts or for the sake of taking photos or sightseeing.
For information on hiking safety and outdoor etiquette and codes, please visit the ''Enjoy Hiking" Hiking Information on Green Tourism webpage.
The AFCD also reminds visitors that country parks are valuable natural resources. Caring for the natural environment and keeping it clean are every visitor's responsibility. Visitors should protect the natural environment and practice "Take Your Litter Home" and hiking etiquette. Camping is permitted only at designated campsites, and fire can only be used at designated barbecue sites or campsites.
The AFCD particularly reminds visitors not to climb trees, disturb or harm wild animals and plants, or cause a nuisance to other visitors. According to the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), any person who fells, cuts, burns or otherwise destroys any trees in a forest or plantation without lawful authority or excuse shall commit an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year upon conviction.
The AFCD will strengthen patrols, publicity and education at the above ecotourism hotspots during the holiday. Enforcement action will be taken immediately against any violations.
Ends/Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:35
Issued at HKT 18:35
NNNN
Photo
