ENVIRONMENTALISTS joined forces yesterday on a windy hilltop overlooking Mai Po Marsh Nature Reserve to protest against what they say is government apathy over the approval of a golf course and residential development near the wetland park.
The World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF), Friends of the Earth and the Conservancy Association believe that without a strong policy and government intervention wetlands will disappear.
WWF spokesman Llewellyn Young said: 'A proposal to actively manage the area had been submitted to the Government 17 months ago, but we have had no response.' The protest was sparked by approval of a 98.8-hectare project on the edge of the reserve.
Although environmentalists have applauded Henderson Land Development Company's 'eco-friendly' approach, they say the development sets a precedent.
for seven other projects awaiting approval.
'The area is under too much stress as it is,' Dr Ng Cho-nam of the Conservancy Association said. 'If those seven developments are approved it marks the end of the wetlands here.' He said the Government should start a clear programme of funding to protect the wetlands.
