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Vivian Au

Hong Kong environmentalists are worried that at least 29 breeding species of birds might be threatened by the New Town project, going by early plans for the Northern Metropolis megaproject.
Wong Suet-mei, a senior conservation officer at the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, said the outlined plan for the New Territories North New Town, the largest project in the Northern Metropolis, might result in extensive loss of farmland.
“Farmland is an extremely important habitat for birds that rely on wetlands and open country habitats,” she said, referring to the area’s wide, open flatlands with herbs, climbers and shrubs.
The government’s Northern Metropolis blueprint aims to transform 30,000 hectares (74,130 acres) in the New Territories into a new economic growth centre and housing hub.
The New Town project involves about 1,175 hectares in Heung Yuen Wai, Ta Kwu Ling, Ping Che, Hung Lung Hang, Queen’s Hill, Man Kam To and Lo Wu South.
The government’s two-month public consultation on the New Town project concludes on Sunday.

The Development Bureau told the Post it would conduct an environmental impact assessment to evaluate the impact on birds and ecology and, if necessary, would propose mitigation policies.
The bird species that green groups were concerned about were among 174 recorded in the area. A nine-month study by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, the Liber Research Community and four other groups identified about 340 hectares of quality farmland, mostly in Ta Kwu Ling and Man Kam To.
Wong said at least 42 species of migratory birds and 29 species of breeding birds recorded in the Ta Kwu Ling and Sandy Ridge areas had been assessed as having a moderate to high risk of extinction.
They include the black baza, a small black and white bird that preys on insects and lizards.

She said the only known active nesting site for the species in Hong Kong was in the Man Kam To and Kong Nga Po area, which would potentially be affected by the surrounding development.
“Their breeding population is regarded as having a high risk of local extinction,” she said.
For now, Hong Kong only has one breeding pair of the migratory black baza, which Wong said preferred open forested areas.
“We consider it is too risky to have development around their breeding grounds without understanding their local feeding range, habitat requirement, habitat usage and the conservation measures needed,” she said.
Another species with a high risk of local extinction was the sooty-headed bulbul, a grey, black, brown, red and white bird with a jaunty, piercing whistle.
Its population has shrunk by more than a third since 2000, and Wong said this was likely due to the continuous loss of farmland.
“This species mostly occurs in open country habitats such as farmlands, grassy hillsides and shrub lands, and is less tolerant to developed areas,” she added.
The Bird Watching Society said that if the government went ahead with the New Town project as described in the outline plan, there would be significant loss of a large area of farmland and harm to bird species at risk.
It called on authorities to protect the farmland areas as much as possible.


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Northern Metropolis

The government’s Northern Metropolis blueprint aims to transform 30,000 hectares in the New Territories into an economic powerhouse and housing hub. Photo: May Tse

Another species with a high risk of local extinction is the sooty-headed bulbul. Photo: HKBWS/Chung Yun-tak

The black baza is also at risk, according to environmentalists. Photo: HKBWS/Cheng Nok-ming

Habitat built for Hong Kong’s wild ducks flying high 4 years on: green group

The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society has worked with fishermen to build three wetlands for birds in the northwest New Territories. Photo: HKBWS

Yu Yat-tung, director of the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society (left), and Chung Yun-tak, assistant project manager. Photo: Vivian Au

‘I can grant you a piece of land’: Hong Kong’s Paul Chan eyes AI, tech firms

The Northern Metropolis is a megaproject near the border with mainland China. Photo: May Tse

Financial Secretary Paul Chan says the city’s stock exchange will “open a dedicated line” for “specialist technology companies” that are looking to prepare an initial public offering. Photo: Jonathan Wong

News

Hong Kong

Health & Environment

Largest project in Northern Metropolis could result in extensive loss of farmland, which is critical for birds that rely on wetlands, they say


Largest project in Northern Metropolis could result in extensive loss of farmland, which is critical for birds that rely on wetlands, they say.
