Rent could soak up big chunk of funding for management of ecological sites

Much of the multimillion-dollar government funding for schemes to manage three ecologically important sites on private land could end up in the hands of canny villagers who drive a hard bargain for rent.

Environmentalists gave this warning yesterday as green groups chosen to run three pilot projects prepared to open rent negotiations with the landowners.

The groups have been awarded $4.6 million from the Environment and Conservation Fund to design and run the two-year projects in Tai Po and Long Valley in partnership with farmers and landlords.

The Tai Po Environmental Association was awarded $1.74 million to take care of an area of 170,000 sq ft at the butterfly haven in Fung Yuen, where more than 160 species of butterflies have been recorded.

It has reached agreement with villagers on good practices for butterfly conservation that require them to protect vegetation and refrain from hunting butterflies.

The Conservancy Association and Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, awarded $1.61 million and $1.36 million respectively, will have separate programmes in Long Valley, where more than 210 bird species have been recorded.

The two organisations have pledged to improve farming methods, set up a direct-sale network of organic crops and introduce new crops to keep and attract birds.