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Conservation of Natural

Environment

Hills and mountain ranges of Tai Mo Shan and
Kam Shan in the hinterland form a unique green
backdrop of the New Town, providing both visual
relief and identity. About 1 152 ha (about 33%) of
land within the New Town are zoned "Green Belt"
on the OZPs for keeping the natural backdrop.
To the northeast of the New Town, Shing Mun
Reservoir, which was completed in 1937, supplies
fresh water and its surrounding green hills are
home to many species of butterflies and migratory
birds.

Near the New Town, MacLehose Trail Stages 7
and 8 and Lung Mun Country Trail within the Tai
Mo Shan and Shing Mun Country Parks provide
natural-based leisure destination for residents and
visitors in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung (Figure 37). Figure 37: MacLehose Trail and Lung Mun Country Trail near
Tsuen Wan (Courtesy of Hong Kong Toursim Board)
Tsing Yi Nature Trail is also a popular hiking route
in Tsing Yi. Within a 30-minute walk, it has a
panoramic view of Rambler Channel and Ma Wan
Channel, with Ting Kau Bridge and Tsing Ma Bridge
spanning over.

A population of Hong Kong Croton (Figure 38),
which is endemic to Hong Kong, is found at a
woodland to the southwest of Hong Kong Institute
of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi). To protect
this endemic species, a "Site of Special Scientific
Interest" ("SSSI") zone is designated on the Tsing
Yi OZP. It intends to deter human activities or
development within the "SSSI" zone.

Figure 38: Hong Kong Croton at Tsing Yi Site of Special Scientific
Interest (Courtesy of Hong Kong Herbarium)

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