Green worry for Sai Kung

I refer to the feature 'Farewell Sai Kung, welcome fun zone' (Sunday Morning Post, October 24).

World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong notes with great concern the numerous ambitious plans to turn Sai Kung into a 'fun zone', which include resort development at Sharp Island, shopping malls and exhibition centres on a huge reclaimed peninsula, as well as a cable car connecting various islands in Sai Kung.

The potential impacts which these proposals would have on the ecology and scenic value of Sai Kung and its environs must be comprehensively studied before the decision is taken. Sai Kung is an ecologically sensitive area, with more than 80 per cent as country parks providing invaluable recreational and educational opportunities for the general public of Hong Kong. The area is also well known for its rich flora and fauna bio-diversity.

The natural scenic beauty of Sai Kung further serves as good tourist spots for promoting eco-tourism in Hong Kong.

Given the large scale of the development proposal and the attendant construction works, the environmental costs would be substantial. These would include destruction of coastal landscape, deterioration of water quality in Port Shelter, and loss of corals and fish spawning grounds as a result of the proposed extensive reclamation and road construction works.

In addition, many may find the massive structures proposed for the tranquil area unnecessary and visually intrusive. Further development and urbanisation in Sai Kung and the nearby islands induced by the proposal may also threaten Hong Kong's limited remaining natural heritage.