Cities must not sacrifice our border green corridor
The opening of most of the security zone along Hong Kong's border with Shenzhen is all but inevitable. The two cities have become increasingly integrated socially and economically. The frontier zone has served for nearly six decades as a bulwark against smugglers, illegal immigrants and other criminals. But its law enforcement value has declined as the two cities move closer together. Modern border control no longer requires such a large security zone. The opening of 2,400 hectares to the public, announced by the government on Friday, is therefore a welcome move.
However, the cordoning off nearly 60 years ago of large swathes of land along our northern border had the unintended, but positive, consequence of preserving most of it in its natural state - in sharp contrast to many parts of the New Territories that have been turned into container storage areas, dirty scrapyards and ugly clusters of poorly designed small village houses.
These eyesores are the result of poor planning and lack of site supervision by city planners and enforcement agencies. In opening up the frontier area, the government must make sure such mistakes are not repeated. The scenic greenery in the security zone is a long-term asset for both Hong Kong and Shenzhen. It must not be sacrificed to any short-term development gain.
Already, property developers and villagers are eyeing its profit potential. A government plan is afoot to transform the Lok Ma Chau Loop - created by the realignment of the Shenzhen River - into a commercial or light-industrial zone. The loop, which is likely to be co-managed by officials from Shenzhen and Hong Kong, is heavily contaminated by toxic river sediment. Given its proximity to the ecologically sensitive Mai Po marshes, its cleanup must be carefully managed.
The Planning Department is studying how best to develop some areas while protecting others in the zone. Appropriate development will, no doubt, help ease pressure from overcrowding in urban areas. However, habitats of high ecological value such as those at Hoo Hok Wai and Lin Ma Hang must be adequately protected from encroachment.
Government planners, in consultation with the Hong Kong public, must be careful to strike a delicate balance between development and conservation to ensure a green future for the zone, and the two cities.
