Preserving South Lantau's Natural Beauty: Your Voice Matters!

Jo Lodder
Jul 25, 2024
6 min read

Hi everyone! As someone who lives in the serene villages of South Lantau in Hong Kong, I’m deeply connected to this beautiful island. I run in the mountains, swim in the seas, chill on the beaches, and see the water buffaloes pass by my house every day. This place is not just my home; it’s a sanctuary of incredible biodiversity and natural beauty. That’s why I’m reaching out to you, my valued subscribers, to ask for your support in preserving South Lantau. Even if you’re not in Hong Kong, your voice can make a difference.

Please take a moment to read this blog and participate in the South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor comments questionnaire before Sunday, 28th July. Take the survey here.

Jo Lodder, Lantau Peak, Shek Pik Reservoir, South Lantau, Soko Islands, Hong Kong, hiking, running, outdoor adventure, environmental conservation, nature preservation. — Capturing the essence of South Lantau, Jo Lodder's descent from Lantau Peak highlights the need to protect this delicate ecosystem for future generations.

South Lantau Island is a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity, home to unique species and vital habitats. The government’s recent interest in enhancing the area without harming its ecology is commendable, but we must ensure that development plans prioritize preservation and sustainability. With the deadline for the South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor comments questionnaire fast approaching on Sunday, 28th July, it's crucial to make our voices heard. Take the survey here.

South Lantau, recreation hub, Cheung Sha, Shek Pik, Shui Hau, Pui O, nature education, biodiversity, ecosystem, environmental impact, sustainable development, conservation, planning failure. — The proposed South Lantau recreation hub map outlines a divisive plan to compartmentalize the region into distinct zones for leisure, recreation, and nature education. This approach disregards the interconnectedness of the ecosystem and fails to prioritize biodiversity conservation

The Importance of Conservation

South Lantau boasts rich biodiversity, including rare species found nowhere else. However, habitats like Shui Hau are already suffering from human activities, such as clam digging, which damages the ecosystem. Preserving these natural treasures is essential for maintaining the island’s ecological balance.

Infrastructure Concerns

Do We Need to Expand?

Before expanding South Lantau’s capacity, we must conduct thorough studies to assess actual needs and community desires.
Expansion should not be at the expense of the island’s ecological integrity.

Avoiding New Construction

To minimize ecological disruption, we suggest utilizing existing structures for nature centers:
- Mui Wo’s ferry pier
- Tung Chung’s transport hub
Enhance existing trails with interpretive panels to educate visitors without new construction.

Shui Hau Beach, Lantau Island, water buffalo, Hong Kong, nature, wildlife, conservation, ecosystem, biodiversity, environmental protection, ecotourism. — serene moment captured as water buffaloes peacefully stroll across Shui Hau Beach, a reminder of Lantau’s unique natural heritage. These gentle giants play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of this coastal ecosystem.

Sustainable Development Proposals

Eco-Education and Recreation Hub

Propose creating a green hub in Mui Wo, possibly using the old secondary school.
This hub could offer:
- Small-scale eco-education tours and activities
- Recreation, culture, arts, and wellness programs
- Vocational training for local outdoor providers
Properly managed regenerative tourism can provide long-term financial growth and preserve natural beauty.

Conservation and Management

San Tin wetlands, Hong Kong, wetlands, biodiversity, ecosystem, birdwatching, nature conservation, environmental protection, wildlife habitat, water purification, climate change, sustainable development. — A stunning aerial view of the San Tin wetlands, a vital ecosystem teeming with life. This wetland serves as a crucial habitat for countless bird species, supporting biodiversity and water quality. Protecting these natural treasures is essential for a sustainable future.

Setting Clear KPIs

The HKSAR Government should establish clear conservation Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the project to ensure ecological priorities are met.

Involving Experts and NGOs

Involve local NGOs, conservation experts, and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) at every project stage.
Learn from successful examples like San Tin’s holistic wetland compensation strategy.

Preserving Local Wildlife and Habitats

Endangered horseshoe crabs call the mudflats of South Lantau home. Help protect the ancient, a vital species from facing extinction — Horseshoe crabs in South Lantau face increasing threats from habitat loss and pollution, putting their already vulnerable populations at risk of extinction.

Protecting Water Buffaloes

The South Lantau Buffalo Society stresses the importance of preserving the island’s water buffaloes, a unique aspect of local heritage.

Safeguarding Threatened Species

The project must acknowledge and mitigate impacts on local threatened species.
Avoid developments like parking lots, villas, and playgrounds that could harm wildlife.

Long-term Ecological Goals

No Net Loss in Ecological Function

Aim for no net loss in the area’s ecological function and capacity.
Implement proactive mitigation and active conservation management strategies.

Regeneration and Improvement

Develop plans that not only preserve but also regenerate and enhance the natural environment.

Pui O Beach, Lantau Island, Hong Kong, wetlands, coastal ecosystem, aerial photography, nature, environment, biodiversity, ecotourism, beach, ocean. — A breathtaking aerial perspective of Pui O Beach, showcasing the pristine coastline and the lush wetlands that lie behind it. This stunning natural landscape is a testament to the ecological richness of Lantau Island.

Conclusion

Preserving South Lantau requires thorough studies, sustainable development practices, and active conservation efforts. Involving local communities and experts is crucial for success. Make your voice heard by participating in the South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor comments questionnaire before Sunday, 28th July. Take the survey here.

Call to Action

Share this blog and the questionnaire link with others to gather more support for preserving South Lantau’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Together, we can ensure that development plans respect and enhance this beautiful island for future generations.

South Lantau Eco-recreation Corridor example comments - 1,000 characters

In case you are looking for suggestions on what to write in the questionnaire comments, here are some examples provided by others.

Example 1

I am behind the goal of enhancing Lantau Island without harming its ecology. However, studies must determine the true need for expanding South Lantau's capacity. Infrastructure in high-value habitats will diminish biodiversity, and Shui Hau is already damaged by clam digging. To avoid new construction, nature centres in Mui Wo and Tung Chung in existing structures are preferable, with interpretive panels along current trails. Proposals must include restoring wetlands, creating engaging materials, and training guides. The South Lantau Buffalo Society stresses preserving water buffaloes. A green hub in Mui Wo for well-managed eco-education, recreation, culture, arts, wellness, and vocational training is a sustainable alternative to mass tourism. The project must set clear KPIs, involve local NGOs and experts, and acknowledge threatened species. Aim for no net loss in ecological function, regenerating and improving the environment. All stakeholders must be included in the process.

Example 2

We applaud the desire to enhance Lantau Island “without damaging the ecological environment,” but studies are needed to determine if there is a “need” to expand South Lantau's capacity or if villagers want to act as guides. Creating infrastructure within habitats of high ecological value will diminish biodiversity and their value, especially at Shui Hau, where extensive damage has already occurred from digging for clams. To avoid new construction, nature centres should be created at Mui Wo’s ferry pier and adjacent to the transport hub in Tung Chung in existing structures, whilst interpretive panels could be added along the Country Parks’ existing trails. Any proposal for developing South Lantau must include provisions for continued conservation efforts to restore wetlands, create engaging interpretive material, and train interpreters and guides. The South Lantau Buffalo Society would also like to see more consideration for preserving the water buffaloes on Lantau. Lastly, we encourage all interested parties to be included when developing a sustainable, conservation-oriented recreational proposal for South Lantau.

Example 3

Mass tourism is being proposed here which is notoriously destructive and would destroy South Lantau's rich natural ecology. Bringing busloads of tourists or students to a sensitive environmental destination is an outdated model that is not “eco-tourism”. Properly managed regenerative tourism education is better. This could be served out of a green hub in Mui Wo (propose the old secondary school) providing a wide range of local small-scale experimental well-managed tours and activities in eco-education, Recreation, Culture, Arts and Wellness serving South Lantau and beyond and also act as a vocational training centre for local outdoor providers producing out new growth industry. This model will provide long-term financial growth. Many countries have plundered natural beauty and bio-diversity for short-term profits whereas the real wealth is to be found in rich natural heritage. As these beautiful places grow fewer more people search for them. We must not destroy The Golden Goose.

Example 4

Glad to see interest/investment in conserving South Lantau’s rich natural habitats and educating visitors. I request that the HKSAR Govt set clear conservative KPIs for the eco project; further study the conditions for success (eg Pui O is very different from Australian forests free walks are not plug-and-play solutions); clearly outline the plans for long-term management of these sites, and further development if any; and involve local NGOs/conservation experts/AFCD in all aspects of the project, as having an eco-project led by CEDD does not generate public confidence in the conservation aspect being prioritised. The starting point should be to consider how the project can consistently bring benefits to local ecology and bio-diversity (not “asset impact” on those elements) I'm also concerned that the ECO project proposal contains no acknowledgement of the local threatened species or how parking lots, villas and playgrounds will affect them. Thank you for your consideration.

Example 5

I'm very excited here that our government wants to focus on conservation education, and sustainable tourism on Lantau. However, very little information is given to the conservation and protection of the local biodiversity. There are no mentions of extremely rare species some of which only live on Lantau Island. Lantau is the green lung of the Pearl River Delta. A blueprint for sustainable development in Landau must involve at all stages local NGOs the Buffalo Society, local green education groups, Lantau-based sustainable outdoor guides, small/medium local businesses, residents and AFCD, Kadori Farm, and WWF. San Tin is a great example of a proactive mitigation proposal in Hong Kong, with a holistic wetland compensation strategy with active conservation management. We want to aim with Lantau development for a “no net loss in ecological function and capacity of the area to be developed”. What would make this development outstanding is its ability to regenerate and make things better.

Jo Lodder is a trail runner, business leader, and philanthropist. He's the co-founder of JNW Asia, a property marketing company based in Hong Kong focused on Niseko projects, and a master agent of SnowDog, a hospitality brand. He also became the first person in history to complete the HK5Trails in Hong Kong with the Run for Freedom challenge to raise money for charity.