Q Do we need tougher laws to protect trees?
I read the articles with a great deal of interest because we are facing exactly the same problem but this time it is the government cutting the trees.
Our road (Castle Peak Road) was widened to accommodate a four-lane highway and prior to the start of work, there were lots of very tall trees along the road. For the sake of improving the road, the Highways Department cut down all the trees.
We were promised at the time that the trees were merely moved and would be replanted when the road was completed.
We were also told that new trees would be planted at the site. Now the new highway is completed and the workers have packed and left. We are left with an open footpath and not a tree in sight.
The Lands Department is so keen in investigating the tree hacking incident at Leung King Estate, perhaps it should be equally keen to pursue an investigation into how so many trees were destroyed without any effort to replant new ones.