The MTR Corp's ecological impact assessment for the cross-border express rail link last year missed out at least 41 fauna species present in Tsoi Yuen Tsuen, an eco-education group said yesterday.
Most of the 41 species not recorded were common species and it was inexcusable that the MTR ecological survey had not noticed and recorded them, said Ken Ching See-ho, director of the Eco-education and Resources Centre. Ching released the results of their study that cross-checked the MTR's survey.
The group's survey, which covered an area of 0.7 square kilometres at the village between October and June, found 23 butterfly species, 10 bird species and eight dragonfly species, most of which are common, were not recorded among the 136 species noted in the MTR's assessment of the Kam Tin and Shek Kong area. The group also found that rare or uncommon species were not mentioned in the MTR's report, such as Bonelli's eagle and the common birdwing butterfly, both protected species.
'The MTR's assessment not only failed to record rare species, but also to include dozens of common birds and insects,' Ching said. 'Some of them are so easily seen in ditches that you can't miss them.'
The MTR's ecological survey, released in May last year, was part of its environmental impact assessment for the express railway project. The company had appointed AECOM Environment to conduct it.
The consultant had concluded that 'no direct impact to significant areas nor species of conservation interest are anticipated from the project'.