Original topic "Objections to 'Planning and Engineering Study on Future Land Use at Ex-Lamma Quarry Area at Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island – Feasibility Study'"
We, Eco-Education & Resources and Green Power Centre ( ERC& GP), write to lodge strong objections to the proposals contained in the captioned 'Planning and Engineering Study on Future Land Use at Ex-Lamma Quarry Area at Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island – Feasibility Study' based on the following grounds:
(A) Adverse impacts on Green Turtle breeding and hatching from light pollution
(B) Threats to biodiversity and winter birds migration
(C) Incompatibility of land uses in surrounding areas
(D) Floodgate effect of over–development on Lamma Island
A) Adverse impacts of light pollution on Green Turtle breeding and hatching
With developments of major infrastructures on South Lamma, the subsequent light and water pollution in this area will affect the nesting site of Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas) in nearby Sham Wan. The Green Turtle's nesting and hatching process follows a simple trajectory. After incubating for about two months, the hatchlings break through their eggs, burrow out of the sand and scurry towards the brightest light they see, which should be moonlight over the ocean. To complete their hatching process, Green Turtle hatchlings have to rely on a natural light field which is brighter over the ocean than over the land. However, the combined glow of artificial lights (skyglow) in the new residential settlements may mislead the hatchlings to race to the opposite direction, and thus greatly reduce their chance of survival.
We regret that the captioned Study have neglected and not proposed any assessements on the adverse effects of light pollution on the nesting of Green Turtles.
B) Threats to biodiversity on Lamma Island and winter birds migration
Lamma Island has been a place where biodiversity exists and which Hong Kong have the responsibility to conserve. With ongoing effort, we have conducted a birds survey between 2011 and 2013, and recorded more than 110 bird species here on Lamma Island, including some rare winter bird species such as Chinese Goshawk (Accipiter soloensis), Eurasian Woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), Hoopoes (Upupa epops), Forest Wagtail (Dendronanthus indicus), Blue Throat (Luscinia svecica), Grey-headed Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis), Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla). Lamma Island is without doubt one of the important resting places and stop-points for winter birds.
Not only has the captioned Study overlooked the above facts, it also fails to state that there are 183 (in 2011) and 142 (in 2014) egrets live in the Quarry area during the winter seasons, together with 24 Black Kites and one nesting record in 2013. We have also recorded more than 100 butterfly species, 11 dragonfly species, 648 vascular plants and flora, approximately 32% of the total number in Hong Kong, of which 151 plant species are classified as very rare and 39 as rare, such as Philippine's Hackberry (Celtis timorensis) and Biond's Hackberry (Celtis biondii).
In 2011, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was extended to Hong Kong, making it necessary for the city to develop its own biodiversity strategy and action plan – a lengthy process that requires wide community involvement from the get-go. It is the obligation of the government to establish a Nature Conservation Framework for Hong Kong based on the CBD and develop a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) followed CBD's guidelines and principles in order to protect and prevent further loss of biodiversity in Hong Kong's wildlife and ecosystems.
As widely known, housing development and construction of infrastructures are major treats to biodiversity in rural areas which lead to habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore crucial that the future development of Lamma Island should be put under the scope of BSAP which would benefit not only the wild life on Lamma but also Hong Kong people as a whole.
C) Incompatibility of land uses in surrounding areas
One of the guiding principles advertised by the captioned Study and echoed in the public views collected from Stage 1 Community Engagement, is that the "landscape, visual character and natural resources at the Study Site should be preserved". As publicly known, South Lamma, extending from Lo So Shing beach to Sham Wan, has been zoned as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1980; Sham Wan is the unique local nesting/breeding site for the Green Turtle and Romaz's frog and Lamma Island has been recognised as a potential site for Country Park since 1967. Although it was not included in the initial Country Park system, Lamma is still considered to be one of the "Potential Country Parks" in the latest Territorial Strategic Development Review (Planning Department, 1996/7).
Our question is how can a Study which devotes little, if not none, consideration to existing and potential natural land uses, and merely focuses on housing development uphold the principle of preservation of natural landscape, visual character and natural resources? How can such a deficient and one-sided study be acceptable to the public?
D) Floodgate effect of over–developments on Lamma Island
As described in the government's website – Discover Hong Kong, "From a traditional Chinese fishing village to a laid-back multicultural community, Lamma's blend of Western and Chinese island life creates an atmosphere that has proved irresistible for Hong Kong's busy residents. Many come here as day-trippers; some stay for good." Any development proposal on Lamma should keep preserving these important attributes and characteristics of the Island as its goals.
The proposed development will trigger a series of irreversible change to Lamma Island which has been ignored in this study, such as construction of breakwaters, typhoon shelter, helicopter pads and new road access, introduction of vehicles, construction of utilities including water supply, telephone lines, etc. And the associated environmental impects might be enormous.
Visitors and tourists go to Lamma Island because of its beautiful natural environment, its closeness to nature and relaxed atmosphere. The proposed house developments in the former quarry area would trigger a floodgate effect of over-developments on Lamma, and destroy the opportunities for eco-tourism which if developed would better achieve to maintain the natural environment of this small island, while not rejecting the need to steer development to a desirable and positive direction.
In 2011, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was extended to Hong Kong, making it necessary for the city to develop its own biodiversity strategy and action plan – a lengthy process that requires wide community involvement from the get-go. It is the obligation of the government to establish a Nature Conservation Framework for Hong Kong based on the CBD and develop a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) followed CBD's guidelines and principles in order to protect and prevent further loss of biodiversity in Hong Kong's wildlife and ecosystems.
As widely known, housing development and construction of infrastructures are major treats to biodiversity in rural areas which lead to habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore crucial that the future development of Lamma Island should be put under the scope of BSAP which would benefit not only the wild life on Lamma but also Hong Kong people as a whole.
C) Incompatibility of land uses in surrounding areas
One of the guiding principles advertised by the captioned Study and echoed in the public views collected from Stage 1 Community Engagement, is that the "landscape, visual character and natural resources at the Study Site should be preserved". As publicly known, South Lamma, extending from Lo So Shing beach to Sham Wan, has been zoned as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1980; Sham Wan is the unique local nesting/breeding site for the Green Turtle and Romer's tree frog (Liuixalus romeri); and Lamma Island has been recognised as a potential site for Country Park since 1967. Although it was not included in the initial Country Park system, Lamma is still considered to be one of the "Potential Country Parks" in the latest Territorial Strategic Development Review (Planning Department, 1996/7).
Our question is how can a Study which devotes little, if not none, consideration to existing and potential natural land uses, and merely focuses on housing development uphold the principle of preservation of natural landscape, visual character and natural resources? How can such a deficient and one-sided study be acceptable to the public?
D) Floodgate effect of over–developments on Lamma Island
As described in the government's website – Discover Hong Kong, "From a traditional Chinese fishing village to a laid-back multicultural community, Lamma's blend of Western and Chinese island life creates an atmosphere that has proved irresistible for Hong Kong's busy residents. Many come here as day-trippers; some stay for good." Any development proposal on Lamma should keep preserving these important attributes and characteristics of the Island as its goals.
The proposed development will trigger a series of irreversible change to Lamma Island which has been ignored in this study, such as construction of breakwaters, typhoon shelter, helicopter pads and new road access, introduction of vehicles, construction of utilities including water supply, telephone lines, etc. And the associated environmental impects might be enormous.
Visitors and tourists go to Lamma Island because of its beautiful natural environment, its closeness to nature and relaxed atmosphere. The proposed house developments in the former quarry area would trigger a floodgate effect of over-developments on Lamma, and destroy the opportunities for eco-tourism which if developed would better achieve to maintain the natural environment of this small island, while not rejecting the need to steer development to a desirable and positive direction.
Yours faithfully,
for and on behalf of
Green Power, Eco-Education & Resources Centre and Living Lamma
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