Joint Letter to the Chief Executive, Mr. Leung Chun-ying, Requesting ...

c.c.:Mrs. LAM CHENG Yuet Ngor, Carrie, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration(Fax: 2882 0099; E-mail: cso@cso.gov.hk)Mr. CHAN Mo Po, Paul, MH, JP, Secretary for Development(Fax: 2845 3489; E-mail: sdev@devb.gov.hk)Mr. WONG Kam Sing, Secretary for the Environment(Fax: 2147 3287 ; E-mail: sen@enb.gov.hk)地 址 : 香 港 九 龍 旺 角 登 打 士 街 56 號 栢 裕 商 業 中 心 23 樓 2314 室 電 話 │Tel : (852) 3961 0200 網 址 │Website: www.greenpower.org.hkAdd. : Rm. 2314, Park-In Commercial Ctr., 56 Dundas St., Mongkok, H.K. 傳 真 │Fax : (852) 2314 2661 電 子 郵 件 │E-mail: info@greenpower.org.hk

19 June 2012Joint Green Groups’ Statement on Protection and Conservationof Tung Chung River, Estuary, Coastal Areas and Associated Habitats1. The undersigned groups are deeply concerned about the Government’s plan to reclaim the TungChung River Valley and coastal areas for development under the “Planning and Engineering Studyon the Remaining Development in Tung Chung”, which will destroy Tung Chung River Valley’sintact and integrated stream, riparian, estuarine and coastal ecosystems. These habitats supportoutstanding biodiversity. Tung Chung River is one of the few remaining major streams in HongKong which has not been overly affected by channelization or water pollution, and largely retainsits natural state throughout the whole river course from headwater to estuary. The Tung ChungRiver system is unique in the local context. Its headwaters flow down from Hong Kong’s secondand third highest peaks, and run uninterrupted all the way to the shallow Tung Chung Bay. Thehigh connectivity and continuity along its whole length from the montane area to estuary make itexceptionally rich in its aquatic and coastal biodiversity, including many rare and endangeredspecies. The surrounding land area also contains diverse habitat types, supporting manyecologically important animal and plant species in Hong Kong.2. We urge the Government to protect the Tung Chung River (both channelized and natural sections,and its tributaries), its estuary, the entire Tung Chung Bay and other remaining natural habitatswithin Tung Chung Valley, which are of high ecological, landscape, hydrological and culturalvalues, so as to preserve natural resources for nature conservation, community use and enjoyment,and fisheries. In addition, we have prepared a recommended Development Permission Area (DPA)plan incorporating our vision for a sustainable future for Tung Chung’s remaining natural areas forGovernment’s consideration.1

3. Tung Chung has a special history and a unique setting. It has been settled since the fall of theSouthern Sung Dynasty in 1279. The bay was the setting for a huge naval battle in 1810 when theQing navy defeated the notorious pirate Cheung Po Tsai. The Tung Chung Fort and Tung ChungBattery dated from these times and are listed monuments. Lying between the forested slopes of LantauPeak and Nei Lek Shan, the bay with the immensely photogenic fishing village on Ma Wan Chung,the historic Hau Wong Temple in its coastal setting, and the sea grass and mangrove stands, offers aunique panorama and insight for visitors and locals alike. These aspects would disappear if TungChung is further developed.4. We would also note that the Convention on Biological Diversity was extended to Hong Kong witheffect from 9 May 2011. The implication of the extension is a commitment to develop andimplement best international practices for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.There are now further obligations for our future development plans to effectively manage andprotect our valuable ecological diversity within or outside the protected areas and ensure theirconservation and sustainable use. Under Article 8 of this Convention, each contracting partyshall:• Establish a system of protected areas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conservebiological diversity;• Develop, where necessary, guidelines for the selection, establishment and management of protectedareas or areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity;• Regulate or manage biological resources important for the conservation of biological diversitywhether within or outside protected areas, with a view to ensuring their conservation and sustainableuse;• Promote the protection of ecosystems, natural habitats and the maintenance of viable populations ofspecies in natural surroundings;• Promote environmentally sound and sustainable development in areas adjacent to protected areaswith a view to furthering protection of these areas;• Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species,inter alia, through the development and implementation of plans or other management strategies;• Endeavour to provide the conditions needed for compatibility between present uses and theconservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.5. Therefore, compatible landuse should be extended to Tung Chung River, estuary, coastal areas andassociated habitats which can serve as a green lung for the existing residents of Tung Chung. Ourvision for the Tung Chung’s remaining natural areas is as follows:a. Protect and conserve high quality natural habitats which are of rich biodiversity and ecologicalvalue through conservation planning, management and monitoring. In particular, Tung ChungRiver, estuary, woodlands and the coast should not be exploited for any development andprotected statutorily as “Site of Special Scientific Interest”, “Conservation Area” and “Coastal2

Protection Area” zones as illustrated in our recommended DPA plan for Tung Chung remainingnatural areas. (See Appendix 1 regarding green groups’ recommended DPA plan for TungChung’s remaining natural areas.)b. Promote compatible community use and enjoyment in the Tung Chung River Valley and theestuary through environmental education and passive recreation activities. Ecologically-friendlyfacilities which encourage the public to assess Tung Chung River and the estuary can beconsidered, for example, eco-trails, a riverside park, a nature education centre, resting places andlook-out towers.c. Enhance the tourist appeal of Tung Chung River Valley based on its river landscape and culturalheritage through improved linkage to existing Country Parks in Lantau, as Tung Chung RiverValley is located amongst existing tourist spots including Hong Kong International Airport,Ngong Ping Cable Car, Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha Statue.6. In order to further support the ecological value of Tung Chung River, estuary, coastal areas andassociated habitats, a number of conservation groups have commenced ecological surveys in theseareas. The results will be released and submitted to the Government to facilitate environmentallyand socially sound planning for Tung Chung’s remaining natural areas. The surveys cover a widerange of taxa groups and a summary of the results is presented below.7. Tung Chung River and riparian zonesThe preliminary results show that Tung Chung River is rich in freshwater fish species. Over 20freshwater fish species (11% of total number of freshwater species) can be found in the TungChung River and five of them (including Beijiang Thick-lipped Barb (Acrossocheilusbeijiangensis) and Giant Mottled Eel (Anguilla marmorata)) are considered to be of highconservation importance. In fact, Tung Chung River is one of the last local streams which stillhas a natural estuary. Tung Chung River and its riparian zones are also ecologically importantfor 25 amphibian and reptile species (22% of total number of amphibian and reptile species)including the endemic Romer’s Tree Frog (Liuixalus romeri) and Hong Kong Newt(Paramesotriton hongkongensis) which are protected by law. At least 48 butterfly species (18%of total number of butterfly species) can be found in Tung Chung’s remaining natural habitat, anda population of one rare butterfly species, Jhora Scrub Hopper (Aeromachus jhora) can be foundwithin the marsh inside Tung Chung River.8. Tung Chung Estuary and Tung Chung BayTung Chung Estuary is characterised by mudflat, mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass habitats andthe San Tau seagrass bed SSSI is located on its western side. The estuary is home to variousmangrove plant and animal species and is also the breeding and nursery ground for two horseshoecrab species, Chinese Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) and Mangrove Horseshoe Crab(Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda)) and one pipefish species, Seaweed Pipefish (Syngnathusschlegeli), demonstrating its high ecological value and importance in local context. Tung Chung3

Bay is also exceptional in terms of economically important juvenile fish and crustacean species,which shows that Tung Chung Bay is an important nursery area of commercial fisheries resources.The bay is also an important foraging ground for some important wetland bird species likeSwinhoe’s Egret (Egretta eulophotes) and Pacific Reef Egret (Egretta sacra).9. Tung Chung ValleyTung Chung Valley is largely covered with wooded areas and several Fung Shui Woodlands areidentified. The secondary woodlands surrounding Tung Chung Valley are good in quality and areused by many fauna species. These woodlands also contain protected plant species like IncenseTree (Aquilaria sinensis) which are of conservation importance. Four butterfly species ofconservation importance are recorded near the Tung Chung woodlands, including Oriental StripedBlue (Leptotes plinius), Peacock Royal (Tajuria cippus), Golden Birdwing (Troides aeacus) andCommon Birdwing (Troides helena). (See Appendix 2 for some highlighted key ecologicallyimportant species recorded in the Tung Chung River, valley, estuary and bay.). Part of TungChung River, its riparian habitats and its estuarine habitats have been severely damaged byhaphazard development over the last decade and it is time to provide appropriate planning andprotection to the remaining key sites.10. In view of the intactness, uniqueness and intricate ecology of Tung Chung River Valley, estuaryand coastal areas and the social benefits of conserving these areas for public use and touristattraction, any adverse impacts of development or incompatible uses in these areas must beavoided. Therefore, we strongly urge the government to:a. Prohibit civil engineering work, channelization and reclamation in Tung Chung River courses andbanks, estuary and the entire Tung Chung Bay.b. Prohibit any discharge of effluents and connection of outfalls to Tung Chung River channels andesturary. Any landuse and activity that brings about water pollution must be removed from TungChung River banks and the shores of Tung Chung Bay.c. Rehabilitate the channelized/ damaged artificial river sections.d. Adopt our recommended DPA plan to guide a sustainable planning and development in TungChung.e. Terminate the present planning and engineering study on the remaining development in TungChung and not to fast-track the landuse planning, engineering feasibility and EIA study processes.We consider that the present proposed plan to reclaim Tung Chung Bay, with new towndevelopment as the decided objective, pre-empts the landuse planning and EIA process.Co-signed GroupsDesigning Hong KongEco-Education & Resources CentreGreen Lantau AssociationGreen PowerHong Kong Bird Watching SocietyThe Conservancy AssociationWWF-Hong Kong4

Appendix 1: Green Groups’ recommended DPA plan for a sustainable planning for Tung Chung River, estuary, coastal areas and associated habitats.5

Appendix 2: List of some highlighted key ecologically important species recorded in Tung Chung River, Valley, estuary and bay.中 文 名 稱English Name Scientific NameChinese NameTung Chung River and Riparian ZoneRarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsRomer's Tree Frog Liuixalus romeri 盧 氏 小 樹 蛙 Endemic to HongKongProtected under Cap. 170IUCN: Endangered 1Fellowes et al. (2002):Potential Global Concern 2Riparian zones (woodlands/ vegetated areas; butalso see below)Hong Kong NewtParamesotriton香 港 瘰 螈Restricted to coastalProtected under Cap. 170Found in the main stream and tributaries of TunghongkongensisSouth China butIUCN: Near Threatened 1Chung River Systemfairly widespreadFellowes et al. (2002):locallyPotential Global Concern 2Short-legged ToadXenophrys短 腳 角 蟾All confirmedAFCD: Species ofSmall hill streams and wooded riparian zones; smallbrachykolosrecords are fromConservation Concern 3tributaries associated with Tung Chung RiverHong Kong.IUCN: Endangered 1provide suitable breeding habitats for this species.Fellowes et al. (2002):Potential Global Concern 2BeijiangAcrossocheilus北 江 光 唇 魚PopulationsAFCD: Species ofStreams with natural bottom (gravel and sand);Thick-lipped Barbbeijiangensisconsidered to beConservation Concern 4found in the main stream and tributaries of Tungnative appear inFellowes et al. (2002):Chung River System.only Hong KongGlobal Concern 2Island and Lantau;distribution highly6

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required Habitatsrestricted.Giant Mottled Eel Anguilla marmorata 花 鰻 鱺 Rather restricted indistribution andpopulation size verysmall; threatened byover-harvesting andpopulation trend islikely to bedecreasingAFCD: Species ofConservation Concern 5China Red Data Book:Endangered 5China Species Red List:Endangered 6Class II State ProtectedSpecies in China 6Fellowes et al. (2002):Global Concern 2Diadromous species; inhabits streams with naturalstream bed (gravel and sand); the stream-oceancorridor should not be blocked (i.e. channelization atcertain section, culverted); stream flow and streambed should remain natural (stream flow should notbe further reduced); simply speaking, the wholestream should be preserved for protecting thisspeciesJhora ScrubHopperAeromachus jhora 寬 鍔 弄 蝶 Rare 7 AFCD: Rare 7 A population was found within the marsh inside TungChung River.Hong KongSpiranthes香 港 綬 草Threatened byProtected under Cap. 96Stream and riparian zone.Spirantheshongkongensisoverharvestingand 586.Pitcher Plant Nepenthes mirabilis 豬 籠 草 Threatened byProtected under Cap. 96Riparian zone.Tung Chung Estuary and Tung Chung Bayoverharvestingand 586.Burmese Python Python molurus 蟒 蛇 Widespread in HongKong but rare inSouth ChinaProtected under Cap 170and 586IUCN: Near Threatened 1China Species Red List:Critically Endangered 6Woodlands, mangrove, saltmarsh, stream coursesand vegetated riparian zone7

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsChina Red Data Book:Critically Endangered 6Class I State ProtectedSpecies in China 6Fellowes et al. (2002):Potential RegionalConcern 2ChineseTachypleus中 國 鱟Restricted mostly toIUCN - Data DeficientCoastal bays, Intertidal soft shore, and the bottom ofHorseshoe Crabtridentatusthe DeepChina Species Red List:open seaBay and rare inEndangeredother parts of HongTheir abundance hasKong 10declined substantially withlow density on local shoresin Hong Kong 10 .MangroveCarcinoscorpius圓 尾 鱟Mainly in Deep BayIUCN - Data DeficientCoastal bays, Intertidal soft shore, and the bottom ofHorseshoe Crabrotundicaudaand Lantau Island.China Species Red List:open seaAlso recorded in LukVulnerableKeng and Lai ChiTheir abundance hasWo 10declined substantially withlow density on local shoresin Hong Kong 10 .Seaweed Pipefish Syngnathus schlegeli 舒 氏 海 龍 Juveniles were IUCN – Not Assessed Coastal bays, Intertidal soft shore, and the bottom of8

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required Habitatsdiscovered in Shaopen seaLo Wan and TungChung baysMainly distributed innorthern part of Lantaucoastal waters, also knownfrom Tung Ping Chau 18Alligator PipefishSyngnathoides棘 海 龍Adults wereIUCN – Not Assessedbiaculeatusdiscovered in SunnyBay, Tung ChungMainly distributed inBay, Hau Hok Wannorthern part of Lantauand Sha Lo Wancoastal watersSwinhoe's Egret Egretta eulophotes 黃 咀 白 鷺 scarce springpassage migrantIUCN VulnerableClass II State ProtectedSpecies in ChinaFellowes et al. (2002):Global Concernmainly intertidal mudflats and marshesCollared Crow Corvus torquatus 白 頸 鴉 Uncommon andlocalised residentIUCN Near ThreatenedFellowes et al. (2002):Local ConcernwetlandsPacific Reef Egret Egretta sacra 岩 鷺 Uncommon resident China Red Data Book: rareCoastal areasClass II State ProtectedSpecies in China9

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsFellowes et al. (2002):Local ConcernNo common nameLigustrum punctifolium 斑 葉 女 貞 Very rare; foundListed under “Rare andMangrove area; it should be noted that although the(A rare shrubonly at several sitesPrecious Plants of HongTung Chung population is small, it is very far awayspecies)in Hong Kong andKong” 13 .from the one at NE New Territories, so it should be ahas not beendistinct population requiring special attention.recorded fromMainland China; theother populationwas found inVietnam.Other key records: Fish larvae from 8 families including Callionymidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae, Gobiidae, Lutjanidae, Sillaginidae, Sciaenidae and Syngnathidae and onecrustacean larvae from Portunidae family are also recorded. Most of these families have species which are economically important fisheries resources.Tung Chung ValleyTokay Gecko Gekko gecko 大 壁 虎 Uncommon andrestricted indistribution 15China Red Data Book:Endangered 15China Species Red List:Endangered 4Class II State ProtectedSpecies in China 4Fellowes et al. (2002):Regional Concern 2Cliffs or boulder piles surrounded by thick brush/woodland.Chinese Bull Frog Hoplobatrachus 虎 紋 蛙 Uncommon China Species Red List: Active and abandoned agricultural lands; the riparian10

English Name中 文 名 稱Rarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsScientific NameChinese Namechinensis Vulnerable 4zones along Tung Chung River system also provideClass II State ProtectedSpecies in China 4suitable habitats.Romer's Tree Frog Liuixalus romeri 盧 氏 小 樹 蛙 Endemic to HongKongEmerald Dove Chalcophaps indica 綠 翅 金 鳩 China Species RedList: NearThreatenedChina Red DataBook: VulnerableFellowes et al. (2002):Potential RegionalConcern 2Protected under Cap. 170.IUCN: Endangered 1Fellowes et al. (2002):Potential Global Concern 2CRDB vulnerableWoodlands, orchards, abandoned agricultural landsand even roadside plantation areas.Wooded areasEurasian EagleBubo bubo 鵰 鴞 China Red DataCRDB rare; PRC grade IIHillsides with grassy/ shruby vegetationOwlBook: Rareprotected animalClass II StateProtected Speciesin ChinaFellowes et al.(2002): RegionalConcern 2Golden Birdwing Troides aeacus 金 裳 鳳 蝶 Rare 16 Protected under Cap. 58611

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsAFCD: Species ofConservation Concern 16Fellowes et al. (2002):Local Concern 2Common Birdwing Troides helena 裳 鳳 蝶 Uncommon 16 Protected under Cap. 170and 586Regularly recorded from one Fung Shui Woodland atTung ChungOriental StripedBlueAFCD: Species ofConservation Concern 16China Species Red List:Near-threatened 4Leptotes plinius 細 灰 蝶 Very rare 17 . AFCD: Species ofConservation Concern 17Fellowes et al. (2002):Local Concern 2A population was found in Tung Chung ValleyPeacock Royal Tajuria cippus 雙 尾 灰 蝶 Rare Local Concern 2 Wooded areasIncense Tree Aquilaria sinensis 土 沉 香 Used to bewidespread in HongKong but manymature trees havebeen cut for theagar wood in recentyearsProtected under Cap. 586Listed under “Rare andPrecious Plants of HongKong” 13Near-threatened in China 13China Species Red List:Vulnerable 4Class II State ProtectedSpecies in China 13Lowland woodland12

English NameScientific Name中 文 名 稱Chinese NameRarity Conservation Status Required HabitatsLittle-leavedRoureaGmelina chinensis 石 梓 Common Listed under “Rare andPrecious Plants of HongKong” 13Vulnerable in China 13Considered to be rare andendangered inGuangdong 13Lowland woodlandWhite Yam Dioscorea hispida 白 薯 茛 Rare Nil Lowland woodlandToothed BlackGymnosphaera細 齒 黑 桫 欏 Very rare Protected under Cap. 96Has been recorded in Tung Chung; inhabits thickTree-fernhancockiiand 586forest of valleys and stream sides.Listed under “Rare andPrecious Plants of HongKong” 13Vulnerable in China 13Class II State ProtectedSpecies in China 13References:1 www.iucnredlist.org2 Fellow, J. R. et al. (2002). Wild animals to watch: terrestrial and freshwater fauna of conservation concern in Hong Kong. In Hodgkiss, I.J. (ed.).Memoirs of the Hong Kong Natural History Society, No. 19, Hong Kong. pp.123-159.3 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=2986&lang=tc4 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=2984&lang=tc5 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=2975&lang=tc13

6 www.baohu.org7 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/tc_chi/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=3982&lang=tc8 Tse, P. Nip, T.H.M. and Wong, C.K. 2008. Nursery function of mangrove: a comparison within mudflat in terms of fish species composition and fish diet.Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 80, 235-242.9 Nip, T.H.M. and Wong, C.K. 2010. Juvenile fish assemblages in mangrove and non-mangrove soft-shore habitats in Eastern Hong Kong. ZoologicalStudies 49, 760-778.10 Li H.Y. 2008. The Conservation of Horseshoe Crabs in Hong Kong. MPhil. Thesis, City University of Hong Kong, 250 pp.11 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_mar/con_mar_hor/con_mar_hor.html12 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/con_wet/con_wet_sea/con_wet_sea.html13 Hu, Q.-m., Wu, T.-l., Xia, N.-h., Xing, F.-w., Lai, P.C.C. and Yip, K.-l. 2003. Rare and Precious Plants of Hong Kong. Agriculture, Fisheries andConservation Department, Hong Kong Government, Hong Kong.14 Karsen, S.J., Lau, M.W.-n. and Bogadek, A. 1998. Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles. Provisional Urban Council, Hong Kong.15 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=3150&lang=en16 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=2725&lang=en17 http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/hkbiodiversity/database/popup_record.asp?id=2487&lang=en18 Yvonne Sadovy and Andrew Cornish. 2000. Reef Fishes of Hong Kong. Hong Kong University Press.14