River nature park proposed by Hong Kong green groups to protect Tung Chung valley from development

A coalition of green groups is calling on the government to take over about 500 private lots along the Tung Chung River Valley on Lantau and establish a 21-hectare "river nature park".

Conservationists argue this will be the best way to protect the ecologically sensitive Tung Chung River on the island, which is already facing the development pressure of an impending new town expansion.

A park run by the Drainage Services Department would manage the ecology and public amenities, control unauthorised development and provide a "quality nature park experience" for the public, said Dr Cheng Luk-ki, Green Power's head of scientific research and conservation.

The river and its tributaries should be designated as a site of special scientific interest, while "passive recreation areas", boardwalks and visitor areas could be built.

The area boasts rare flora and fauna including mangrove horseshoe crabs, seaweed pipefish, Swinhoe's egret and the Eurasian eagle owl.

Cheng estimated that 13 per cent of land in the valley had been ecologically degraded compared with 4.8 per cent in 2007.

The damage, believed to be the result of a lack of statutory controls on land use, has been caused by dumping, land filling and even the building of illegal columbariums in village houses.