Conservancy Association urges council to solve problem of smelly water at source
A green group has joined the fight to save a miniature forest of trees growing out of walls in a Shekkipmei housing estate park.
While red stem banyan trees are common in Hong Kong, they are rarely found growing out of walls, according to the Conservancy Association.
It is appealing to the local district council and the Drainage Services Department to reverse their decision to cut the trees down.
The banyan trees face destruction because the nullah in which they are growing in Lung Chu Street apparently smells during summer and residents of nearby estates have for years been trying to get the authorities to get rid of the stench.
But Peter Li Siu-man, campaign officer for the Conservancy Association, said the Drainage Services Department should concentrate on solving the problem at the source rather than covering up a waterway that is unique to Hong Kong.
'We've also offered the option, if they insist on concreting over the waterway, of covering it half way up the wall. That way, the trees could still survive and the water, if it does smell, could be covered up,' he said.