Green plan unveiled: Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao briefs the media on the Government's new nature conservation policy.

Twelve priority sites have been identified for enhanced protection in the Government's new conservation policy, unveiled today.

They are the Ramsar Site, Sha Lo Tung, Tai Ho, Fung Yuen, Luk Keng Marsh, Mui Tsz Lam and Mau Ping, Wu Kau Tang, Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung, Deep Bay Wetland outside the Ramsar Site, Cheung Sheung, Yung Shue O and Sham Chung.

Two new measures will be adopted, under a trial scheme, to help conserve the sites. The measures are management agreements with landowners, and public-private partnership.

The Environment & Conservation Fund Committee has agreed to allocate $5 million to implement management agreement projects, under which non-governmental organisations, like green groups, education institutions and community organisations, can apply for funding from the Government to enter into management agreements with landowners.

Under public-private partnership, developments at an agreed scale will be allowed at ecologically less-sensitive portions of the sites, provided the developer undertakes to conserve and manage the rest of the site long-term.

Proposals invited

The Government will allow six months for submission of proposals from December 1, and announce the selected pilot projects within six months. It will review the pilot projects before deciding the way forward.

Other measures include enhanced conservation education and publicity, further study of a nature conservation trust, and the Wetland Advisory Committee will be converted into a nature conservation sub-committee of the Advisory Council on the Environment from January 1.

Secretary for the Environment, Transport & Works Dr Sarah Liao said in drawing up the new nature conservation policy, the Government has taken into account views received during a public consultation conducted last year.

Some 156 written submissions were received with most respondents supporting the need to protect the natural environment and calling for increased efforts in conserving Hong Kong's natural heritage.

Details of the new policy and Guides to Application for the pilot scheme for management agreements and public-private partnership have been uploaded on the Environment, Transport & Works Bureau and Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department websites.