Balance conservation and development on Hong Kong’s South Lantau
- Ongoing public consultation is an opportunity to create a blueprint that helps the island unleash its potential without overdevelopment
Striking the right balance between conservation and development has long been the challenge facing the Hong Kong government.
This has been made more difficult as the city’s ever-growing appetite for more and better public facilities is held back by greener public awareness and a ballooning budget deficit. The proposal to create an “ecotourism corridor” at South Lantau is the latest example.
Packaged as a recreational initiative to promote environmental protection awareness and the local economy, the project involving construction of beach campsites, chairlifts and a ferry pier has raised eyebrows among conservationists.
The highlights include a new water sports centre at the beach at lower Cheung Sha and an “adventure” holiday site offering rope climbing, uphill chairlifts and accommodation.
Separately, an education centre on ecology and rural culture is to be built in Shui Hau, where endangered Chinese horseshoe crabs are found.
While the government has dismissed worries over the negative impact arising from the proposed new ferry pier in Cheung Sha and other new facilities, it offered to explore crowd-control measures, such as an online reservation system, to “ensure a good travelling experience without damage to the environment”.
But with the daily number of holiday makers expected to rise from the existing 2,700 to as many as 6,000 in future, the impact cannot be ignored.
Adding to the concerns is the financing. The Development Bureau said it would explore a variety of approaches to implement the proposal, such as inviting private sector participation, adding that some operators with experience had already expressed an interest.
While this may lead to a more creative development and alleviate the burden on public coffers, adherence to environmental protection standards and accountability must not be compromised.
The latest South Lantau development drive is not the first. Following the commissioning of the new airport and other commercial and residential development in Tung Chung, various blueprints have been floated over the past two decades to make better use of the island’s northern and southern coastal areas.
Whether the approach is cautious or inefficient is a matter of judgment. But given the sensitivity and the impact involved, it is important to tap the input of the public and stakeholders to get it right.
There are those who think the city’s “last unspoilt backyard” should be left as it is. But the people also benefit if its lush green mountains and pristine beaches can be accessed more easily and enjoyed under a measured approach.
The ongoing public consultation provides yet another opportunity to work out a blueprint that helps Lantau unleash its potential without overdevelopment.
