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The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, who is also
the Country and Marine Parks Authority, is responsible for the conservation
of the terrestrial and marine ecological resources, as well as for the
enforcement of legislation on nature conservation issues.
The Forests and Countryside Ordinance provides for
the general protection of vegetation, and gives special protection to
certain rare plants, including native camellias, magnolias, orchids, azaleas
and the Chinese New Year flower.
The Wild Animals Protection Ordinance prohibits the
hunting of wild animals and the possession, sale or export of protected
wild animals taken in Hong Kong. It also restricts entry by unauthorised
persons to three designated important wildlife habitats: the Mai Po Marshes,
the Yim Tso Ha Egretry and the green turtle nesting beach at Sham Wan.
The Country Parks Ordinance provides for the designation,
control and management of the countryside as country parks and special
areas for nature conservation, education, scientific research purposes
while country parks can also be designated for compatible recreation and
tourism uses.
The Marine Parks Ordinance provides for the designation,
protection and management of the ecologically important marine environment
as marine parks and marine reserves for nature conservation, education
and scientific research purposes. Compatible recreational activities such
as swimming and diving are allowed in marine parks.
Besides general conservation of the countryside, the
Government has been identifying and conserving sites of special scientific
interest, such as those that are natural habitats of rare plant or animals
species through exercising strict development controls. In all, 64 sites
have been listed.
The Fisheries Protection Ordinance provides for the
regulation of fishing practices and the prevention of destructive fishing
activities such as using explosive or toxic substances for the purpose
of fishing. |
