Geopark overwhelmed by tourists during National Day holiday severely damaging the area’s natural ecology

^{Massive influx of tourists overwhelms Sharp Island Photos: Greenpeace}

Local environmental group Greenpeace report that the massive influx of tourists to Sai Kung Geopark during the National Day holiday is causing severe damage to the area’s ecology. Local councillors and environmental groups are calling for an education campaign aimed at the many mainland tourists not familiar with how to behave in such environments.

The environmental group recently visited Sharp Island and found it overwhelmed by tourists on the first day of the holiday, with over 4,000 people visiting. BUZZ recently reported that littering and illegal fires were common, with many tourists digging for starfish and sea urchins directly on the shore, and even snorkeling in the coral reef areas. The group criticised the government’s current approach as a patchwork approach, urging authorities to comprehensively review ecotourism policies to prevent serious damage to the geopark’s environment. Sharp Island is a key coral reef site in Hong Kong, boasting the second-highest coral coverage in the city.

Greenpeace recommends that the government develop an ecotourism policy framework that prioritizes conservation, including conducting a carrying capacity study of Sai Kung’s islands and formulating appropriate conservation and management measures, such as limiting the number of people and recreational activities in the area, to prevent damage to the geopark.

Sai Kung District Councillor Christine Fong Kwok-shan stated that while the mainland government is promoting “civilized tourism,” a minority still disregards the local ecology, expressing her unacceptability. She noted that clear instructions and reminders are already in place within the district, and that excessive signage could impact the natural landscape. She suggested distributing leaflets or posters at the Ferry Pier leading to Sharp Island