Hong Kong government urged to plug loophole allowing destruction of Lantau wetlands
Campaigners and district councillor decry way landowners are able to damage sensitive rural sites in bid to secure development permission
Hong Kong’s latest blueprint for developing Lantau could lead to the destruction of large areas of precious wetland and protected coastline if the government fails to plug a legal loophole, environmentalists and a district councillor have warned.
The loophole allowed private owners to damage ecologically valuable sites – even if the lots were in protected zones – to pave the way for future land use changes, the groups said.
“We have already seen changes to wetlands under development pressure,” said Roy Ng Hei-man, campaigner for environmental group Conservancy Association.
Major housing and economic developments are planned for northern and eastern parts, while the south and west will be preserved – albeit with new recreational and tourism facilities.
