Policy Comments & Advocacy

Ecotourism Hotspot

1. Tung Chung West Station is a new terminal station of Tung Chung Line Extension which is targeted to be completed by 2029. Owing to its strategic location relative to Tung Chung River Valley and Tung Chung Bay in Tung Chung New Town Extension(West) (TCTNE(W)), it can take a proactive role in the sustainable development of Tung Chung New Town in addition to serve the existing residents (in Yat Tung Estate and Mun Tung Estate) and planned housing developments in the TCTNE(W), including Area 42 and 46.

2. Tung Chung River, located in TCTNE(W), is one of the few remaining major streams in Hong Kong which has been <span><underline>largely retaining its natural state from headwaters to its estuary</underline></span>, Tung Chung River is unique in the local context. Nurturing the second rich freshwater fish biodiversity, it is designed as Ecologically Important Streams (EIS). The high connectivity and continuity of the river system from the montane area to the estuary, as well as diverse habitat types available in the surrounding land area make the river valley exceptionally rich in aquatic, terrestrial and coastal biodiversity, and accommodate species of ecological importance, e.g. Beijiang Thick-lipped Barb (Acrossocheilus beijiangensis) 北江光唇魚, Philippine Neon Goby (Stiphodon atropurpureum) 紫身枝牙鰕虎魚, Romer's tree frog (Liuixalus romeri) 盧氏小樹蛙, Chinese Horseshoe Crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) 中國鱟, Seaweed Pipefish (Syngnathus schlegeli) 舒氏海龍, Swinhoe’s Egret (Egretta eulophotes) 黃嘴白鷺, Mangrove Skimmer (Orthetrum poecilops) 斑灰蜻, Common Birdwing (Troides helena) 裳鳳蝶 and Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) 鵰鴞.

3. In addition, Tung Chung is a popular tourist spot for all sort of nature excursion and cultural expedition. It is the gateway for ancient trails destinated in Tai O (Tung O Ancient Trail 東澳古道), Mui Wo (Tung Mui Ancient Trail 東梅古道) and Ngong Ping (Fat Mun Ancient Path 法門古道) and starting point to reach several hiking trails in country parks (e.g. Lantau Trail 鳳凰徑, Nei Lak Shan Country Trail 彌勒山郊遊徑 and Tei Tong Tsai County Trail 地塘仔郊遊徑). The magnificent hill streams and scenic summits (Lantau Peal 鳳凰山, Sunset Peak 大東山) in Tung Chung River Basin attract thousands of hikers and stream trekkers to test their mettle. Tung Chung Fort 東涌炮台 and Ma Wan Chung 馬灣涌 are approachable monument site and fishery village for tourists which are next door to Tung Chung West Station.

MTR Station promoting Ecotourism

4. MTR has been introducing local tourist spots in her stations in different districts. In view of the HKSAR Government’s concept of 'tourism is everywhere in Hong Kong' and Tung Chung’s doorway position of Chek Lap Kok Airport, Tung Chung West Station could carry a unique and proactive role to sustainably promote ecotourism to international guests and local visitors:

(a) Promoting Tung Chung West as a tourist hub to act as an interchange and rendezvous point to connect different hiking and ancient trails on Lantau,

(b) Promoting natural and cultural attractions to visitors such as natural history of Lantau, incense industry at Sha Lo Wan, heritage assets of Tung Chung, Tung Chung River Park (in construction phase currently), etc.,

(c) Facilitating visitors to access various tourist spots in the area, including: Ngong Ping Cable Car, Tian Tan Buddha Statue, Chek Lap Kok Airport Island, Tung Chung Fort, Ma Wan Chung, etc,,

(d) Enhancing the tourist appeals of Tung Chung River Valley and promoting passive recreational activities (e.g., eco-trails linking to the surrounding country parks, biking, leisure fishing, etc.) making use of the Tung Chung River landscape and cultural heritage,

5. More importantly, MTR Tung Chung West Station can direct the “ecotourism” to follow internationally recognized conduct so as to safeguard the ecotourism resources and sensitive ecological habitats. In this regard, we recommend that MTR should:

(a) promote tourist spots/trails/routings which are not ecologically sensitive and have compatible environmental/ecological carrying capacity.

(b) disseminate code of conduct and relevant legal liability for responsible tourist.

(c) provide venues (e.g. services counters, kiosks, exhibition spaces, etc.) and promotion channels (e.g. audio-visual devices, interactive IT devices, etc.) for regulatory authorities, such as AFCD, EPD, and “recognized” ecotourism stakeholders, such as NGOs, to engage the tourists in ecotourism.

(d) allocate shops for business providing ecotourist services/goods, preferably run by social enterprises.

6. In addition, the ecological features of Tung Chung River cum Bay can be adopted as design theme of Tung Chung West Station to turn it into a distinctive station to promote ecotourism through:

(a) interior decorations with images of wildlife inhabited in Tung Chung River and Bay,

(b) viewing decks to overlook Tung Chung Valley and Bay and its mangroves, Cable Cars, Lantau Peak and Sunset Peak,

(c) feature signpost(s) directing to tourist spots.

Foster MTR’s ESG Initiative for Lantau

7. We appreciate that MTR is committed “to protect important natural habitats and maintain the diversity of plants and animals” and “exercise special care for sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) and protected areas as defined by local statutory regulations and international convention” as stated in MTR Corporation Environmental & Social Responsibility Policy. Tung Chung River cum Bay is important natural habitats to various protected endangered species mentioned in paragraph 1. In addition to the status of EIS, SSSI, “Conservation Area” and “Coastal Protection Area” have been zoned under statutory Tung Chung Valley OZP to protect the biodiversity of plants and animals depending on Tung Chung River and Bay habitat.

8. Becoming a railway station to promote ecotourism in Tung Chung, the aforementioned suggestions are absolutely in-line with MTR’s environmental policy and beneficial to local community, ecotourism sector and biodiversity of Hong Kong.

9. We appreciate that MTR has accept Green Power’s advices to avoid encroach ecologically sensitive areas, such as mangrove habitat for Mangrove Skimmer (Orthetrum poecilops) 斑灰蜻 (“Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species) in Area 38A, 38B, 98A in Tung Chung Valley OZP during planning and construction stage of Tung Chung West Station. Also, measures are adopted to prevent pollution to Tung Chung River and Bay at the same time.

10. With our experience in Tung Chung, Green Power are ready to further input our views, suggestions and comments to integrate Tung Chung West Station into ecotourism of Tung Chung. For over twenty years, Green Power has been conducting environmental and ecological monitoring in Tung Chung River Basin and Tung Chung Bay (please to refer to our website: https://tcriver.greenpower.org.hk/en/home).

11. We have also cooperated with various departments (such as CEDD, DSD, WSD, AFCD, etc.) and organisations (such as AAHK, etc.) to promote the ecotourism, environmental education, citizen scientist programmes and community activities in Tung Chung.

12. We would be grateful if MTR could accept our recommendations to position Tung Chung West Station as ecotourism hub in North Lantau and well demonstrate her environmental and social responsibility in ecologically rich Tung Chung River Valley cum Bay in Tung Chung West.

Thank you very much for your kind attention. I look forward to your favourable response soon.

For any inquiries, please contact the undersigned at Green Power (T: 3961 0200, F: 2314 2661, Email: info@greenpower.org.hk).