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The Director of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation, who is also
the Country and Marine Parks Authority,
is responsible for the conservation of
terrestrial and marine ecological resources,
as well as for the enforcement of legislation
on nature conservation issues.
The Forests and Countryside
Ordinance provides for the general protection
of vegetation and gives special protection
to certain rare plants, including native
camellias, magnolias, orchids, azaleas
and the Chinese New Year flower.
The Wild Animals Protection
Ordinance prohibits hunting and the sale
or export of protected wild animals taken
in Hong Kong. It also restricts entry
to three important wildlife habitats that
are designated as 'restricted areas' under
the ordinance: the Mai Po Marshes, the
Yim Tso Ha Egretry and the green turtle
nesting beach at Sham Wan.
The Animals and Plants
(Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance
imposes controls on the import, export
and possession of endangered species in
order to prevent their over-exploitation.
The Country Parks Ordinance
provides for the designation, control
and management of the countryside as country
parks and special areas for nature conservation,
education and scientific research purposes.
Country parks can also be designated for
compatible recreation and tourism uses.
The Marine Parks Ordinance
provides for the designation, protection
and management of the ecologically important
marine environment as marine parks and
marine reserves for nature conservation,
education and scientific research purposes.
Recreational activities such as swimming
and diving are allowed in marine parks.
Besides general conservation
of the countryside, the Government has
been identifying and conserving sites
of special scientific interest, such as
those that are the natural habitat of
rare plants or animals, through exercising
strict development controls. In all, 65
sites have been listed. The Fisheries Protection
Ordinance provides for the regulation
of fishing practices and the prevention
of destructive fishing activities such
as using explosive or toxic substances
for the purpose of fishing. |