Environmentalists have been angered by the construction debris that government contractors have created in a scenic area near the Sai Kung Country Park. For reasons best known to itself, the government is building a pagoda near Pak A Village. However, the contractors have shown no regard for the environment and have trashed the area with construction debris and lumps of spilt concrete. Construction debris can also be found in a nearby stream.
The project is a district minor works project under the Sai Kung district council, which operates under the Home Affairs Bureau. When presented with photographic evidence of the despoilation, the bureau promptly conducted a site inspection and ordered the contractor to clear up the mess. We're told it is going to be issued a written warning.
There were fears that the district council planned to concrete over the path between Pak A and Tai She Wan Village on the edge of Snake Bay. However, we are assured by the government they are not planning such a move.
The question remains as to why a pagoda is being built at Pak A. The project costs over HK$1 million. This is a scenic area enjoyed by hikers and visitors by boat. One thought is that the department has too much money and has to spend it on ridiculous make-work projects like this for which there is no demand. As we have seen, the degradation to the environment in building this pagoda completely outweighs the "value" of the project.
Somebody should be kicked hard in the backside for this. First for proceeding with the project, and second for poor oversight of it.