Deep Dive: Hong Kong’s plans to turn South Lantau into an eco-recreational destination

South Lantau will be developed into an eco-recreational destination, hoping to draw thousands of tourists daily while raising public awareness of environmental conservation and boosting the local economy, Hong Kong authorities have said.

On May 27, the Development Bureau proposed turning four rural areas on Lantau Island into an “eco-recreation corridor” featuring natural and historical resources for ecotourism and sustainable recreation.

“[Preliminary] technical assessments on ecology, environment, traffic and infrastructure were carried out to confirm that the proposals will not have adverse impacts on South Lantau,” the bureau said in a paper submitted to the Legislative Council. The government added that it would conduct detailed technical assessments as it took on individual projects.

Under the government proposal, Cheung Sha will become the recreational hub of South Lantau, with accommodations such as beach campsites.

The 2km (1.24 mile) beach in Lower Cheung Sha will feature a new water sports and recreation centre and a barrier-free walkway. Additional catering and water sports rental facilities will be brought to the area.

The hillside in Upper Cheung Sha will be developed into an “adventure” holiday area. It will offer rope adventures, uphill chairlifts and accommodation.

Shek Pik village will include a heritage trail along the city’s third-largest reservoir. The trail will highlight how the settlement was relocated so the massive water catchment site could be built. The existing catchwater channel will be widened to feature artistic installations designed to blend in with the environment.

Shui Hau will have an education centre to teach the public about ecology and rural culture. This area has a rare natural sandflat landscape and is an important breeding ground for endangered Chinese horseshoe crabs. The government also suggested constructing a walkway along the shore of the sandflat to prevent visitors from walking on it.

Pui O will be developed to feature a walkway and glamping sites to educate the public on biodiversity and ecology.

The bureau also suggested improving public transport and introducing ferry services by building a pier at Cheung Sha. It recommended crowd-control measures, such as an online reservation scheme, to ensure a good experience without damaging the environment.

The administration said it expected an extra 4,000 to 6,000 visitors would travel to South Lantau every day during holiday periods after the proposal was completed.

The government said it explored different approaches to implement its plan, such as inviting the private sector to participate.

“This will not only introduce market creativity and resources but also reduce the government’s financial burden,” the bureau said.

“[We] will continue to liaise with the potential private developers or investors and further consider different approaches and their financial viability.”

Staff writers

1. Which of the following areas will be covered in the government’s new development plan targeting South Lantau?

(1) Shek Pik (2) Shui Hau (3) Lower Cheung Sha (4) Pui O

A. (1), (2) only
B. (2), (3) only
C. (2), (3), (4) only
D. all of the above

2. Identify TWO reasons why the government aims to develop South Lantau into a holiday spot.

3. To what extent do you agree that the new development plan for South Lantau could boost local tourism? Explain using News and Glossary.

1. Where is this beach located? What is the government’s development plan for this spot?

2. Based on News and your own knowledge, what concerns might the public have about the plan to develop this area?

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• Development Bureau has promised ‘quick wins’ in the coming two years as it develops the island

• Lawmakers said the project still had no timeline despite two decades of planning, and others have raised concerns about conservation and the environment

Roy Ng Hei-man, campaign officer for the Conservancy Association, expressed concerns about developing South Lantau following a proposal from the city’s Development Bureau.

He noted that an earlier government study found Pui O and Shui Hau to have high ecological value and said he was particularly worried about the proposed sandflat walkway at Pui O, whose construction could affect the hydrology of the area and damage its ecology.

He said campsites were quite common in South Lantau, but their operators were often accused of unauthorised landfilling and poor sewage treatment that damaged the environment. Ng appealed to authorities to provide details or even set no-go areas as they developed campsites and accommodation.

“During the consultation, the government should provide details on facilities required, basic principles of site formation work and mitigation measures,” Ng said. “They should not wait until the next stage of development, or else it fails to tackle the problem.”

Ng added that the Cheung Sha ferry service would pass through waters off South Lantau, where finless porpoises were often spotted, raising concerns about how the marine ecosystem might be affected.

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But executive director Timothy Chui Ting-pong of the Hong Kong Tourism Association said he was confident that the government could strike a balance between development and conservation, saying that the city needed new attractions and could use its natural scenery to lure tourists from overseas as well as Hongkongers.

Lawmakers have accused the government of dragging its feet in developing the area, saying authorities have failed to come up with a timeline despite two decades of planning.

Lawmaker Andrew Lam Siu-lo noted that the former administration first sought the public’s opinions on a concept plan for Lantau in 2004 and made modifications in 2007. The government asked for views again in 2016 to create a blueprint for sustainable development in Lantau.

That document, released a year later in 2017, laid out plans to develop an economic and housing hub in the north of the island while promoting conservation and recreation in the south.

“Most facilities in the latest proposal should have been completed between 2017 to 2023 [according to] the blueprint,” Lam told the development panel meeting. “After seven years, the government still cannot outline the feasibilities, action plans and timeline. [The latest proposal] remains a concept.”

In response to criticism over the South Lantau proposal, the Development Bureau pledged last month to deliver some “quick win” projects in the coming two years.

Undersecretary for Development David Lam Chi-man cited examples such as building a parent-child playground, adding parking spaces at Cheung Sha, and developing recreational spaces near Shek Pik reservoir.

Lam said that while the government would build tourist and education centres in South Lantau, the private sector was encouraged to build other facilities, such as accommodation.

Staff writers

1. What concerns does Ng have regarding the South Lantau development plan?

2. Why have the city’s lawmakers accused the government of being slow to develop South Lantau?

(1) Because the government wants to conduct many public consultations.
(2) Because authorities have failed to deliver a concrete action plan.
(3) Because most facilities listed in the new plan should have been completed already.
(4) Because the plan to develop Lantau was first mentioned two decades ago.

A. (1), (2) only
B. (1), (2), (3) only
C. (2), (3), (4) only
D. all of the above

3. Based on the current state of campsites in South Lantau, what environmental problems could arise if the private sector develops more accommodation? List ONE policy that could help conserve the area.

1. Of all the features proposed for the eco-recreation corridor, name ONE that you believe will be the most beneficial and ONE you think will be the most harmful. Explain your answer using News and Issue.

2. To what extent do you agree that the government can balance development and conservation? Explain using News, Issue and Glossary.

South Lantau: refers to the southern part of Hong Kong’s biggest island, covering four rural areas: Pui O, Cheung Sha, Shui Hau and Shek Pik

eco-recreation corridor: the name for the area spanning from Shek Pik to Pui O that Hong Kong’s Development Bureau has proposed turning into a vacation destination featuring “ecologically and naturally based sustainable” recreational and educational resources and programmes.

glamping: a combination of the words “glamorous” and “camping”, this refers to a style of camping that includes amenities like Wi-fi and resort-type services

hydrology: the scientific study of the movement, distribution, and management of water

finless porpoises: marine animals that are classified as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Their habitat has been severely affected by pollution and fishing.

blueprint for sustainable development: the plan presented in 2017 that provides a road map for implementing developmental and conservation initiatives such as setting up campgrounds, hiking trails, and an adventure park.

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News

1. D
2. to raise public awareness of environmental conservation and boost the local economy and tourism
3. I very much agree that this proposal could boost local tourism since camping and watersports are popular among Hongkongers. South Lantau has a stunning coastline, and new facilities in this area would attract visitors. The government has planned to introduce ferry services by building a pier at Cheung Sha, which could make it easier to travel to South Lantau. / I disagree to some extent that this proposal can boost local tourism because other parts of Hong Kong are already dedicated to ecotourism. People can access watersports and learn about history in other parts of the city, and adding new services does not necessarily mean thousands of people will flock to South Lantau. (accept all reasonable answers)

Photo

1. This photo shows Upper Cheung Sha on Lantau Island. The government plans to develop the hillside in Upper Cheung Sha into an “adventure” holiday area, offering rope adventures, uphill chairlifts and accommodation.

2. Overcrowding would be a concern for people living in South Lantau. More tourists could also lead to more trash on the beaches, polluting the waters as well.

Issue

1. Ng is concerned that constructing a sandflat walkway at Pui O could affect the hydrology of the area and damage its ecology. He also pointed out that the marine ecosystem might be affected, as the proposed Cheung Sha ferry service would pass through waters where finless porpoises were often spotted.
2. C
3. Campsites are already common in South Lantau, but private operators are often accused of unauthorised landfilling and poor sewage treatment that damages the environment. One policy authorities should consider is providing details or setting up no-go areas as they develop campsites and accommodation.

Map

1. I believe the most beneficial feature will be the adventure facilities because it would be an interesting and exciting way for tourists and locals to explore the natural beauty of South Lantau. The most harmful feature is the walkway in Pui O because it could damage the ecology and water management of the area. (accept other reasonable answers)

2. I agree that the government can balance development and conservation. Despite the planned glamping sites and transport, the government has also focused on conservation and nature education. The government says it will conduct technical assessments to ensure negligible environmental impact. South Lantau’s natural coastline can still be preserved under the government’s plan. For example, Pui O’s walkway and glamping sites will educate the public about biodiversity, and the Shui Hau education centre will teach them about ecology and rural culture. / I disagree because of the Cheung Sha ferry proposal. The tourist attractions cannot thrive or be accessible to visitors without building the ferry. However, the ferry route will likely hurt the finless porpoise population, which is already endangered. (accept all reasonable answers)