Many environmental battles still to come

I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the green groups and, in particular, the public for standing up for one of Hong Kong's last remaining wetland areas in Long Valley.

This is a landmark victory, but there is much ahead for everyone to do. Not only must we wait for the KCR Corporation's appeal and reject it, the Government must support the interests of the international community with regard to what is one of the most important links in seasonal bird migration.

I can only hope that the public will not stop here. In Hong Kong, as developments push out to the more rural areas, there will be many more challenges to come and the public must take up these challenges and win for the sake of future generations.

Places such as Tai Ho, Wu Kau Tang, Sha Lo Tung, Tai Long Wan (Sai Kung) and many more, have in past years attracted publicity.

These places will, in time, again be threatened by proposed developments.

Yet most of these places are the last remnants of our rural heritage and they are tranquil.