SAFEGAURDING THE PUI O WETLANDS
Living Islands Movement (LIM) has campaigned for many years for adequate legal protection of the Pui O wetlands’ unique ecosystem, including initiating a Judicial Review in 2016 on the then government’s failure to take action against suspected illegal landfill. The greater part of the Pui O wetlands finally gained full statutory protection under the new Regulated Area regime on September 1, 2023.
LIM is now pleased to report that the Town Planning Board has approved certain rezoning amendments to the existing South Lantau Coast Outline Zoning Plan. These adjustments will further enhance the protection accorded to a large part of the Pui O wetlands by designating it as a Conservation Area.
The aerial photograph, above, shows the scope of the rezoning project. The zones that now have full statutory protection are Conservation Area (CA), Coastal Protection Area (CPA) and Green Belt (GB). LIM assures that the combined effect of the new measures should guard against further misuse of the land in those areas, including landfill, building waste dumping, siting of shipping containers, unauthorised building works and unlicensed commercial activities.
However, it is important to note that these measures will not retrospectively reverse known misuse that took place before September 1, 2023. While LIM is hopeful that going forward there will be strict monitoring and compliance with the limited permitted uses, it urges residents to remain vigilant against any such further abuse that takes place.
In April, LIM conducted a baseline survey of the Pui O wetlands that records existing misuse (landfill, construction waste, containers, commercial activities etc.), as well as areas that are currently pristine. The aim has been to create a comprehensive database of the pre-existing status of the new Conservation Area from photographs with accurate cross-references to various maps and plans, including GeoInfo. Going forward, this record can be used to identify and report any new examples of misuse, which can then be actioned by the appropriate government departments.
LIM is committed to sustainable island development and relies on the help of volunteers who are willing to become involved in the issues that affect our community. For updates and calls for action, email info@livingislands.org.hk, or visit www.livingislands.org.hk. [PHOTO COURTESY OF LIM.]
DRAGON BOAT WATER PARADE
The Dragon Boat Water Parade of Tai O (or the Tai O Deities Parade) is an annual highlight of the Tuen Ng Festival organised by three local fishermen associations, namely Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hap Sim Tong. Registered on China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List since 2011, the parade is a century-old religious ritual aimed at pacifying the water ghosts and making Tai O a safe place to live.
The parade is being held on June 30 this year: in the early morning, deity statues from four local temples are towed by dragon boat in a parade through the waterways of Tai O. Villagers burn paper offerings and sprinkle the water with “auspicious” joss paper as the deities pass by. After the parade, the fishermen of Pa Teng Hong, Sin Yu Hong and Hap Sim Tong hold a friendly dragon boat race, with residents and visitors alike lining the waterways to enjoy the action. [PHOTO BY Beatrix Malan – www.astcollective.com.]
NEXTWAVE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Get set to chill out on Tai Pak Wan from June 29 to 30 at the Nextwave Beach Music Festival. You can expect a strong lineup of more than 25 local and international acts, performing everything from pop and rock to hip-hop. Headliners include rapper Tyson Yoshi, Cantopop girl group Lolly Talk and indie band RubberBand.
Dubbed Hong Kong’s first beach carnival when it debuted in 2023, this year’s edition will have a new stage design, art installation and venue plan. Festivalgoers can expect eight hours of entertainment per day in a venue that’s reportedly bigger than Hong Kong Stadium. You can also expect food stalls and a marketplace showcasing more than 30 lifestyle brands. To add to the fun, there’s a large-scale sea park complete with water slides, and yachts for rent. Nextwave Beach Music Festival is open to those aged 18 and above. General admission HK$588 per day, HK$988 for VIP access. To book tickets, visit www.kktix.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF HKRCL.]
ERIC WISHART BOOK LAUNCH
Hong Kong University Press has just published a long-awaited book by 10-year DB resident Eric Wishart, the standards and ethics editor, and former editorin-chief, of international news agency Agence France-Presse. Journalism Ethics: 21 Essentials from Wars to Artificial Intelligence is aimed at news consumers who want to make informed choices about the trustworthiness of their sources of information, as well as journalism students and working journalists. It offers advice on all aspects of journalism ethics including accuracy and seeking the truth, representation of women, LGBTQ coverage, climate change, mental health, use of images, conflict reporting and elections. The author brings a unique perspective and depth of knowledge to the complex challenges facing journalists and news consumers in this era of fake news, disinformation and artificial intelligence.
Eric is a member of the ethics committee of the Society of Professional Journalists, and he teaches journalism at the University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Baptist University. For your copy of Journalism Ethics, visit hkupress.hku.hk/Books/New/ Journalism_Ethics. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Eric Wishart.]
MOTHER OF BUFFALO PREVIEW SCREENINGS
The long-awaited documentary Mother of Buffalo is in final post production and preparing for festival entry. A one-man passion project, self-funded by Luis Arturo Tapia of Daedalum Films, the documentary records Pui O resident Jean Leung’s tireless efforts to protect Lantau’s dwindling and endangered population of wild water buffalo. “Now aged 70, Jean has pursued her difficult voluntary work with tenderness, ferocity and humour for the past 15 years,” Luis says. “Mother of Buffalo is a story of perseverance, of the connection and conflict between humans and nature, and of Hong Kong amidst tumultuous change.”
Preview screenings of Mother of Buffalo were held in May at Treasure Island and the Royal Geographical Society. If you would like to host a screening over the summer, you can get in touch with Luis at www.motherofbuffalo.com. There is no screening fee but donations are welcomed – attendees can choose to support Jean’s ongoing work and/ or Luis in completing and promoting his documentary. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Luis Arturo Tapia.]
SUMMER FUN AT TREASURE ISLAND
Treasure Island Beach Club, on glorious Pui O Beach, really kicks into gear come summer. During the day you can get out on the water, (paddle boards, bodyboards and kayaks are available for rent), or you can simply kickback and relax at the beachside restaurant: there’s a special children’s menu plus plenty on offer for vegetarians and vegans. Should you wish to extend your visit into a staycation, there’s a campsite, cabana rooms and even a three-bedroom apartment to rent.
Treasure Island’s celebrated, five-day surf and adventure camps are running from June 17 to August 23. Specialised courses are on offer for wannabe surfers aged 5 to 13 years, while adventure-lovers, aged 5 to 17 years, can enjoy various outdoor activities like kayaking, gorging and raft building. Treasure Island Beach Club is open Friday, 12pm to 10pm; Saturday, 10am to 10pm; Sunday and public holidays, 10am to 8pm. To find out more, visit www.treasureislandhk.com. [PHOTO COURTESY OF Treasure Island.]