Regular cleaning

I refer to Michael Folta's letter (South China Morning Post, October 7) about refuse on country park trails.

We fully agree that we should keep these trails clean. Regular cleaning of footpaths and hiking trails in country parks is carried out by our own staff as well as by hired contractors. The cleaning work covers popular picnic areas and footpaths, as well as less popular hiking trails.

We publicise the message to keep country parks clean through our Web site, posters and the media. We also work with hiking groups through the Clean Country Parks Scheme to encourage walkers to pick up litter when they are on the trails. A Clean Country Park Marathon has been launched and intensive cleanup operations will be carried out at specific country parks each week until December.

Following the discovery of local dengue fever cases, we have paid special attention to the clearing of containers in country parks.

CHEUNG KWOK-WAI

for Director of Agriculture, Fisheries

and Conservation