Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04
CONTROLLING OFFICER'S REPLY TO
Reply Serial No.
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)009
Head : 22 - Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Question Serial No.
Programme : (2) Nature Conservation and Country Parks
Controlling Officer : Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Please answer the following questions in respect of Programme (2) Nature
Conservation and Country Parks:
a) Why has the number of seedlings produced dropped every year since 2001?
Why does the Government estimate that the number will continue to drop in
2003-04?
b) Why is it estimated that the number of seedlings planted will drop in 2003-04?
Will the Government carry out any tree planting plans this year? If yes, please
set out the details and timetable. If no, what are the reasons?
c) What is the progress of the project to set up an ecological database? What are
the expenditures and manpower involved this year and when will it be
completed?
Asked by : Hon. LEE Chu-ming, Martin
Reply :
(a) Number of seedlings produced
Since 2000, AFCD has concentrated on producing native tree seedlings that are normally
not available in the local market and has ceased supplying seedlings that are available in
commercial nurseries to other government departments. As the process of producing tree
seedlings takes on average two to three years, seedlings production has been gradually scaled down
from 827 000 in 2001, to 736 000 in 2002 and to 650 000 in 2003. This resulted in an annual
saving of $1.4 million. The annual production of seedlings will be maintained at around 650 000
from 2003 onwards.
(b) Number of seedlings planted
The number of tree seedlings planted in 2002 was 1 015 000. This consists of 899 000 seedlings
planted in country parks and 116 000 planted outside country parks. In 2003, we will concentrate on
planting trees in country parks. This will result in annual saving of $3.05 million. The planned planting
programmes of AFCD in 2003 are listed below:
Time Programme No. of seedlings planted
1 April to June Afforestation in country parks 700 000
2 April to June Planting at the proposed Lantau North (Extension)
Country Park
3 April to June Planting by the general public under various
community planting programmes
125 000
75 000
Total 900 000
0531