The frontline corps of environmental and concern groups on Lantau range from a sophisticated group of senior executives who formed the Living Island Movement (LIM), to a fervent group of animal lovers devoted to caring for feral water buffalo at Pui O.
Some groups want an extensive area of abandoned swamp land behind Mui Wo to be rented and turned into a wetlands education park. Another hopes to build a butterfly farm to house some of the 260 varieties of butterflies and moths found in Hong Kong.
The Lantau Buffalo Association is negotiating to buy a plot of land on which the animals could roam freely.
The Green Lantau Association was formed 15 years ago when residents were alarmed by China Light and Power's plans to build a power station at Fan Lau. That proposal was adapted. Instead of being constructed on the scenic peninsular, it was built at Tap Shek Kok, near Tuen Mun.
Green Lantau has simple aims: to protect the island's environment and enhance the love of nature. It also monitors and reports on government and utility works projects. If these cause pollution or illegal dumping, they report it.
At the remote tip of the island in the stilt village of Tai O, Wong Wai-king, who was born into a village fishing clan, has established a niche museum showing how people survived a century ago on reaping salt and harvesting fish.
