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SCMP Reporter

Is enough being done to protect trees in Hong Kong?

Yet again I am saddened to see how little value is placed on Hong Kong's trees.

The 'king' banyan's steady demise should have been seen as a wake-up call long before a third of it collapsed last week, and in spite of its posturing, I doubt that the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will do much.

If  anyone cared, the city's '527 old and valuable listed trees' would already have a management plan ('Drive to save Kowloon Park's 'king' banyan tree', August 15).

Living, as I do, above the redevelopment of the Stanley waterfront, I have watched in dismay as some 10 or 12 trees have been hacked, uprooted and moved into concrete planters on the new boardwalk.

Yes, at least most of them have been moved and not just chopped down (one was moved, replanted and then dug up again and moved elsewhere), but they are a sad shadow of their former selves.

One already looks dead and the others do not look much better and where can they spread roots in a concrete box?

In another area, in front of The Bayside Brasserie restaurant, one of two lovely old trees looks as if it has died.

This is not surprising since they have been subjected to constant upheaval around their roots, as paving has been torn up and relaid.

Surely I am not the only person who cares about this?

Wendy Allen, Stanley

The collapse of a large section of one of Hong Kong's oldest trees last week, proved to me that the government is  not doing enough to protect our trees.

Other trees have collapsed, through neglect and in the case of the 'king' banyan tree at Kowloon Park, the government had obviously not done enough to protect it.

I have also noticed that when a building project starts, trees are often removed from the construction site, because it is felt they will get in the way of the development.

All that seems to matter is money.

Developers do not seem to care how old the trees are and the fact that they benefit our environment.

They just see them as obstacles that must be removed.

I accept that development projects must go ahead in Hong Kong.

However, we must strike a balance between new building works and environmental protection.

Wong Pui-yan, Yau Tong

The collapse of the 200-year-old banyan tree should be a warning for the people of Hong Kong and the government.

As you pointed out, of 360 trees highlighted in a book in 1994, for their beauty, rarity, age and historical background, 50 had died a decade later ('Collapse of stately tree is wake-up call for city', August 14).

In Hong Kong,  remedial work always comes too late.

If we had better protection and preservation policies, these tragedies could be averted.

The government has a tree-planting programme, but there seems to be an absence of tree-protection policies.

Given the problems we face with global warming, we should be planting more trees, because  they can turn carbon dioxide into oxygen.

Some of these trees can also form part of our collective memory and are a valuable part of our heritage.

Yau Yung-hon, Kwun Tong

Would bigger tax breaks encourage people to have more children?

A bigger tax break may be one way to encourage people to have more children, but it is not the best way.

Many factors, not just financial ones, have to be taken into  account, before people decide to have more children.

As Sam Wong Tak-sum said, couples have to consider the whole social environment, including, for example, the education system ('More tax breaks would make for smoother sailing, says proud dad', August 15).

The government places so much emphasis on the financial sector, that it neglects other areas, so making it difficult for Hong Kong to achieve its full potential.  A case in point is the education system, which is not well developed and has been criticised by schools in other countries.

Although the child allowance has been increased, this is just a first step.

More policies have to be introduced if the government wants Hong Kong citizens to have more  children.

Poon Tsz-hin, Tseung Kwan O

Nowadays, many couples are choosing not to have children, because their living environment has deteriorated and the cost of living has increased.

They feel they are so busy that they would not be able to take care of children.

An offer of bigger tax breaks is a practical way of encouraging people to have more children.

However, money alone is not the solution.

Work practices have to change and become more flexible.

The government has set a good example with the implementation of the five-day working week in government departments. People can spend more time with their families.

Employees should also be allowed to work from home.  Because they do not have to travel, this would have the added benefit of cutting down on pollution.

So Wai-yan, Kwun Tong

Should makeup be subject to tougher regulation?

As someone who wears mascara, I think there should be tougher regulations.

Basic information should be provided on the label, such as the expiry date and there should also be a list of what the product contains, so customers can make the right choice.  The regulations should be the same as those that apply to food.

I was shocked by the Consumer Council survey where two mascara samples contained 150 times the permitted bacterial count limit.

This highlights the importance of knowing the expiry date, especially after the council advised that mascara wands should be thrown out after a month of use.

Makeup is not essential to every woman as it only shows the outer beauty.

However, sometimes you have to use it, for example, in your career. It also enhances your self-esteem. Therefore, given that it is often necessary, the government should ensure it is safe to use.

Terry Lam, Kwun Tong



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