bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Q Is the WWF ruining the environment at Hoi Ha?

I am writing regarding the recent controversy over the Hoi Ha Wan marine centre and take issue with some of the statements and misleading allegations of the so-called Hoi Ha Wan residents (South China Morning Post, April 28).

Most grating is the elitist attitude of the expat community, members of which have appointed themselves to represent the views of the villagers. I am sure they have found their little section of paradise and are no doubt quite pleased with it and would like nothing more than to shut the rest of the world out from Hoi Ha Wan. I get the impression that the protesters are a group of privileged people who feel they have a right to keep the average Hong Kong citizen out - but times are changing.

Given the economic downturn and the Sars epidemic, Hong Kong people are now discovering and appreciating the beauty of what they have in their own home town. I think solely blaming the marine centre is grossly unfair for problems like litter, over-parking and the 10,000 people who visited over Easter - as the centre has not even opened yet.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has to tread a very fine line, trying to co-ordinate with all sectors of the community in a balanced fashion, and unfortunately this is an impossible task for any organisation. Hoi Ha Wan is within the Hong Kong country park system, and every Hong Kong person has a right to visit and enjoy it whether there is a marine centre or not.

I hope that the protesters will come to their senses and realise that the beauty of Hoi Ha Wan has been discovered. If they want to have some say, I suggest that they take all this negative energy  and learn to work with the WWF, for example by participating in a tree-planting project to help hide the ugly pipe that has so rankled them. David Sablan Camacho, Lantau It is not simply the WWF that seems to be intent on ruining the marine park at Hoi Ha. I feel that the government, particularly the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) must also accept some responsibility.

I understand that the sewage pipe mentioned in the April 28 article by Kevin Sinclair is there to carry pressurised sewage. The consequence of a leak would result in atomised sewage being sprayed into the environment. The new coach park that would have to be built to accommodate visitors would see the destruction of a picnic area and a number of trees. Not bad for an organisation that prides itself on environmental protection.

The WWF is very proud of the fact that it will have Hong Kong's first glass-bottomed boat. This is to be powered by twin-diesel engines, which will result in diesel exhaust fumes being distributed directly over the coral as the boat passes over carrying its passengers. It is debatable whether there will be anything to see judging by the poor visibility I have experienced at Hoi Ha as a scuba diver, and it seems nonsensical that the WWF would seek to use such an environmentally unfriendly mode of transport to bring in the money while damaging the coral. It is also my understanding that the WWF chose this form of engine after being advised by the marine department.

Hong Kong must be the only place that protects its marine parks by allowing them to be used for fishing. I believe that there are approximately 700 permits issued to allow fishing, including net fishing, at Hoi Ha. This number far exceeds the number of villagers who are permanent residents.

Ironically, if I wished to camp in the marine park it would cost me $217, but it would cost nothing to renew my fishing licence if I was a villager or a fisherman.

So what is the future for Hoi Ha? The current management strategy will produce a fished-out marine park that contains nothing but dead coral. If the WWF had waited a further couple of days, then they would probably have deduced this from the environmental impact report that they very cleverly dodged.

But I suppose it matters very little if there are people willing to pay to see dead coral and the WWF is able to continue making money.

Phil Barnes, Tai Po

The aim of educating young people to protect our threatened environment is appreciated, but the consequence of building the marine park will be bad for the future of Hoi Ha.

Tension there has been running high, not only due to the cost of the $52 million centre, but also because it is environmentally unfriendly. A black steel sewage pipe runs above ground alongside the path of the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park which destroys the landscape. Also, such a delicate natural treasure could ill-afford  the consequences of being visited by hoards of people. For the benefit of the local villagers, the government should postpone the opening of the centre until a flawless (or as flawless as possible) plan comes up. Everybody wants to preserve the beauty of Hoi Ha.

Name and address supplied

On other matters ...

On Monday, C4 carried a report headlined 'Two hospitals take top medics off Sars roster'. Some junior staff in hospitals complained that their seniors were exempted from entering the 'unlucky draw' to decide who will work on the Sars wards.

We all know that Sars is a seriously infectious disease and dangerous to all. Many medics have been infected and one hospital worker has died. Fear is understandable. But senior medics theoretically have more experience in dealing with crises than juniors. They are more suited to be on the frontline. If the hospitals don't change this situation, we have reason to worry about the morale among junior medics.

Conflicts will arise between medics. How can they continue to fight Sars then? Unity is a strong weapon. Selfishness will weaken our resolve. So senior medics should re-consider their position. Name and address supplied



Talkback