Rubbish on Sai Wan beach Photo: Greenpeace
As BUZZ and other media outlets have reported, several campsites in Sai Kung were overcrowded during the Lunar New Year holiday. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) deployed staff to patrol and conduct public awareness campaigns during the holiday. The department recently indicated it is considering introducing a reservation system and fees. When asked whether future campers would be required to provide proof of address and make reservations in groups, Assistant Director (Country Parks) Esther To Man-wai stated that this would be considered. Other aspects, such as online reservations in conjunction with campsite management, fees, and deposits, also require careful consideration. Data will be collected and reviewed in the coming months, and consultations with the Legislative Council will be held in the second half of the year. A pilot programme may be launched at popular Sai Kung campsites.
Earlier, environmentalist group Greenpeace stated that there were over a thousand tents at the Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites over two nights. To stated today (24/2) on the RTHK programme “Millennium Era” that the carrying capacity is “not excessive.” She explained that the Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites are classified as “large campsites,” and the claim of accommodating over 50 tents is merely a “classification,” not a “maximum limit.” She added that the beach area is very large, “space is not a problem,” but the facilities have limited usage, which may be affected by large crowds, although cleaning has been increased.
To said that as of yesterday, AFCD had conducted 32 enforcement actions at sections 1 and 2 of the MacLehose Trail and nearby campsites, including littering and illegal fires, with littering being the most common offence. She noted that after campers used the campsites, they quickly returned to their original state, with no serious environmental damage observed, and the rubbish bins were not overflowing, with the overall situation meeting expectations.
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