Think Tank Urges Conservation-First Model for Hong Kong's Country Parks
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A think tank has recommended Hong Kong adopt a conservation-first approach to ecological tourism, warning that 11 million visitors to country parks in 2024 could damage natural environments without proper management. The Civic Exchange proposed three pilot sites and an ecological carrying capacity system to protect habitats while allowing sustainable tourism. The think tank aims to establish a replicable ecological tourism framework by 2030.
Key Points
- Hong Kong's country parks attracted 11 million visitors in 2024, with unmanaged growth potentially causing habitat disturbance, soil erosion, litter accumulation, and rural traffic congestion
- The Civic Exchange (思匯政策研究所) recommended establishing ecological carrying capacity limits and a strict review mechanism for tourism activities at three proposed demonstration sites
- The first proposed pilot is Kiu Tsui Chau (橋咀洲), where enhanced ecological protection and visitor management measures would be implemented
- The second pilot is the Sam Po Tree Wetland Conservation Park (三寶樹濕地保育公園), designed to integrate conservation, community participation, and management
- The third pilot encompasses Tseng Choi (尖鼻咀), Liu Fuk Shan (流浮山), and the Pak Nai Coastal Protection Area (白泥海岸保護公園), which would test land-sea integrated management
Why It Matters
With Hong Kong's rich biodiversity under pressure from record visitor numbers, the think tank's proposed CLEAN Framework offers a balanced approach that could serve as a financing mechanism for conservation. By testing management systems at three pilot sites, Hong Kong could develop a replicable model that ensures tourism revenue funds natural maintenance and community development rather than contributing to environmental degradation .
With Hong Kong's rich biodiversity under pressure from record visitor numbers, the think tank's proposed CLEAN Framework offers a balanced approach that could serve as a financing mechanism for conservation. By testing management systems at three pilot sites, Hong Kong could develop a replicable model that ensures tourism revenue funds natural maintenance and community development rather than contributing to environmental degradation .