(22 March, 2019) In response to the Government’s announcement of the preliminary estimated cost for “Lantau Tomorrow” (referred to “reclamation” below), today 7 environmental and concerned groups report their preliminary findings of ecological surveys and argue against the Government’s claim of “central waters is relatively ecologically less sensitive”. Their surveys recorded an active nest of the nationally Class II protected White-bellied Sea Eagle and the Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard endemic to Hong Kong on Sunshine Island, and also the very rare Sea Pen in the central waters. These findings reflects the East Lantau waters is of ecological importance. Environmental groups are deeply concerned reclamation will not only irreversibly alter the marine environment, but also directly threaten marine and terrestrial wildlife. They urge the Government to abandon the reclamation plan and develop brownfields first.
The groups conducted ecological surveys on Sunshine Islands and in surrounding waters. Preliminary findings indicate the area is of conservation importance both on land and in the sea. Ms. Woo Ming Chuan, Senior Conservation Officer of The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, criticized, “The Government claimed the East Lantau waters is of low ecological sensitivity without thorough and comprehensive investigation and research. This clearly underestimates the ecological value of the area and misleads the general public to support the reclamation project. Understanding the ecological importance of an area requires long-term monitoring, research and study, which cannot be replaced by just one or two Environmental Impact Assessments.”
Ms. Woo Ming Chuan, Senior Conservation Officer of The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, said, “White-bellied Sea Eagle has an estimated population of about 30 individuals in Hong Kong. As they are sensitive to human disturbance during the breeding season, they often select uninhabited coastlines or offshore islands for nesting and breeding. Hong Kong is an important breeding ground in Southern China, while the active nest at Sunshine Island is quite a recent discovery in the East Lantau waters. We are concerned the large scale reclamation works and the proposed road connection from Kennedy Town would have great disturbance on breeding and foraging grounds of birds, which in turn would affect their breeding success and the viability of their population in Hong Kong”.
Sunshine Island is an important site for the Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard. Mr. Roy Ng, Campaign Manager of The Conservancy Association, said, “Bogadek’s Burrowing Lizard is a reptile species endemic to Hong Kong (i.e. no other records globally), and it is only found on Sunshine Island, Shek Kwu Chau and Hei Ling Chau. The Government even designated Sunshine Island as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for the conservation of this species. We are in grave concern that the associated potential impacts of the development, such as increase in human disturbance and introduction of invasive species, may cause detrimental impacts on this endemic species, or in the worst case scenario, may even wipe out the whole population on the islands, and globally.”
The East Lantau waters has always been under studied. Yet Save Lantau Alliance recorded the very rare Sea Pen Pennatulacea (海筆) during their diving surveys last year. This type of coral was not recorded or found in surveys conducted in others areas of Hong Kong waters. Mr. Dickson Wong, Marine Expert of Save Lantau Alliance, explained, “Little is known for Sea Pen both locally and globally due to their retractable and hidden characteristic. We are concerned the reclamation works would have direct adverse impacts on the rare coral community and benthic organisms in the area.”
East Lantau waters is an ecologically sensitive area and should be conserved. However, previous coastal developments demonstrate that marine habitats and wildlife cannot be adequately protected. Ms. Viena Mak, Committee Member of the Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, said, “Even though the reclamation in the North Lantau waters were approved and implemented according to the issued environmental permit, Chinese White Dolphin in North Lantau waters dropped significantly and have eventually disappeared since 2015, while their total number in Hong Kong reached a historical low of 47 individuals in 2017. Given that there is little surveying effort in the East Lantau waters, we consider that “conservation first, development later” and precautionary principles should be adopted for any development.”
Dr. Cheng Luk Ki, Director of Green Power, added, “Even though the first stage of Lantau Tomorrow is now proposed to connect to Lantau at Sunny Bay, we are concerned the road links will eventually reach Mui Wo and other areas of South Lantau as the development plan proceeds. This contradicts and jeopardizes the Government’s pledge to conserve South Lantau. The subsequent transport load will destroy the pristine and tranquil South Lantau by deteriorating the air quality with vehicular exhaust emissions, facilitating fly-tipping of waste transported from construction works of/on the artificial islands and encouraging unplanned, chaotic and incompatible developments on South Lantau.”
Our natural environment is an important element of the quality of life in Hong Kong. Given that there are still many other land supply options available, the Government should not consider the option of reclamation as it will bring irreversible and permanent adverse impacts on the environment. Mr. Andy Chu, Campaigner of Greenpeace, said, “Development of brownfields received the most support from the public with an estimated cost of just 33.3 billion, which is about one-fourth of the cost for reclamation. This can provide 139,000 public housing flats, at the same time phase out brownfield operation and protect the countryside.”
The groups reiterate that there should be no conflict between protecting the sea and providing adequate housing. They urge the Government to abandon the reclamation plan, fully utilize all brownfields and vacant lands, and be determined to fix loopholes in the current housing, economy and planning system.
Environmental and concerned groups include (in alphabetical order): The Conservancy Association, Designing Hong Kong, Greenpeace East Asia - Hong Kong office, Green Power, The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, Save Lantau Alliance
