Robin's Nest yields hidden gems
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (North-West) Felix Chan says the Lin Ma Hang Mine was one of the most extensive mining systems in Hong Kong, dating back to the 19th Century.
The mine has become an important bat roosting site in Hong Kong since its abandonment. Fences have been set up to prohibit entry to the tunnels to protect the bats.
Robin’s Nest Country Park features two scenic hiking trails that connect Lin Ma Hang Village in the west to Shan Tsui of Sha Tau Kok in the east.
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Officer (North) Charlie Shue says the department has joined forces with its counterparts in Shenzhen to strengthen conservation efforts along the Wutong Mountain-Robin’s Nest Ecological Corridor.
Exploring the depths of Robin’s Nest Country Park, nestled in the northeastern New Territories, hiking the Lin Ma Hang trail and ascending over 900 stairs reveals a hidden gem - Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine, an remnant of the once-thriving local mining community.
Mining history
The site served as one of Hong Kong’s natural mineral reserves with significant economic value, housing the largest lead mine known for producing galena, sphalerite and silver. Its history dates back to the 19th Century.
“In 1925, the Government issued a mining lease. Mining activities peaked from 1936 to 1939, with approximately 2,000 workers labouring round the clock. During World War II, the mine was taken by Japanese forces. By the late 1950s, the mine eventually ceased operation due to various reasons, including the drop in the international lead prices,” explained Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Ranger Services Officer (North-West) Felix Chan.
After a year-long revitalisation project jointly conducted by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Civil Engineering & Development Department (CEDD), the mine has been transformed into an open museum, which was opened to the public last December.
The revamp included stabilising the roof of the main cave with rock dowels and grouting, and reinforcing rock pillars with concrete buttresses disguised as artificial rock to seamlessly integrate with the natural landscape. Rock wire mesh has been installed to prevent loose and small rocks from falling.
Bat ecology
The mine comprises five levels and tunnels stretching over 2,100m in length, although access to most of these areas is restricted. Fences have been set up not only to prohibit visitors from accidentally entering but also to protect the sanctuary for bats.
Following its abandonment, the dark and humid environment of the deserted caves and intricate networks of the mine’s galleries have made it an ideal habitat for bats, turning the mine into an important bat roosting site in Hong Kong.
The area was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1994.
“Now, we have already recorded 10 species of bat here, accounting for around 40% of what we have recorded in Hong Kong. This includes the Lesser Bent-winged Bat and the Chinese Horseshoe Bat,” said Mr Chan.
He also reminded visitors to lower their voices and avoid using bright lights when venturing into the mine.
Joint effort
Mr Chan added that the mine, as the first collaboration between the AFCD and CEDD, serves as a reference for similar types of revitalisation projects in country parks in the future.
Robin’s Nest Country Park, where the mine is located, is the 25th country park in Hong Kong, measuring about 530 hectares. It lies on mountain ridges stretching from the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area to the north and Hong Kong’s Pat Sin Leng Country Park to the south.
Established last March, Robin's Nest Country Park features two scenic hiking trails that connect Lin Ma Hang Village in the west to Shan Tsui of Sha Tau Kok in the east. It normally takes four to five hours to finish walking the two country trails.
The two trails encompass multiple attractions, including the MacIntosh Forts, a Grade 2 historic building as well as war relics such as pillboxes and trenches, and the Robin's Nest viewing point which overlooks Starling Inlet.
In addition, part of Robin’s Nest Country Park was previously within the frontier closed area. With minimal disturbance from human activities, it has rich biodiversity, including species of conservation value such as the Chinese Grassbird, Red Azalea and Chinese New Year Flower.
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department Country Parks Officer (North), Charlie Shue pointed out that Robin’s Nest Country Park boasts rich biodiversity with elements of human history, making it a crucial part of the Northern Metropolis' Blue and Green Recreation, Tourism and Conservation Circle - comprising areas endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural resources.
The department has also teamed up with the Tourism Commission to promote the country park under the “Design District Hong Kong” initiative’s activities in Sha Tau Kok.
Rich biodiversity
The mountain ridges of Robin’s Nest interlink with the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain, forming an ecological corridor, Mr Shue noted, adding that the AFCD has joined forces with its counterparts in Shenzhen across various sectors to consolidate resources and strengthen conservation efforts.
The AFCD has worked closely with the Planning & Natural Resources Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality to formulate the joint work programme for the Wutong Mountain-Robin’s Nest Ecological Corridor.
Both sides signed the Cooperative Framework Agreement for the Enhancement of Wutong Mountain (Shenzhen) – Robin's Nest (Hong Kong) Ecological Corridor last August.
The initial plan is to establish an ecological data exchange platform, conduct biodiversity monitoring at both sites, remove invasive species, exchange experiences in nature education, and explore ways to improve the ecological connectivity for animals, with the aim of promoting ecological integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.