I refer to the report headlined, 'Herbal theme park all set', which appeared in the South China Morning Post, on June 3.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Hong Kong respects traditional Chinese medicine as a long-established, valid health-care system and recognises its increasing popularity.
However, the promotion of traditional Chinese medicine should not be at the expense of Hong Kong's natural heritage. Wu Kau Tang is of high ecological value and the impact of the proposed theme park development and associated infrastructure should not be overlooked.
Wu Kau Tang, though excluded from the Plover Cove Country Park, remains one of the most species-rich lowland forest sites in Hong Kong. A total of 164 tree species have been recorded in the fung shui wood of Wu Kau Tang of which more than 10 species are rare.
Furthermore, Wu Kau Tang also has exceptional macro-invertebrate biodiversity. Over 30 species of dragonflies and over 50 species of butterflies have been recorded there. Three years ago, because of their macro-inveterbrate richness and rarity, it was proposed that the streams at Wu Kau Tang be zoned as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Wu Kau Tang is also one of the only few sites known in Hong Kong where the Chinese forest skink is found.