New Nature Conservation Policy
The New Nature Conservation Policy (NNCP) was promulgated in 2004 to regulate, protect and manage natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity of Hong Kong in a sustainable manner, taking into account social and economic considerations, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the community.
The policy objectives are:
- to identify and monitor the important components of biological diversity;
- to identify, designate and manage a representative system of protected areas for conservation of biological diversity;
- to promote the protection of ecosystems and important habitats, and the maintenance of viable populations of species in natural surroundings;
- to identify, monitor and assess activities that may have adverse impacts on biological diversity and to mitigate such impacts;
- to rehabilitate degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species where practicable;
- to promote the protection and sustainable use of natural resources that are important for the conservation of biological diversity;
- to provide opportunities for people to appreciate the natural environment;
- to promote public awareness of nature conservation;
- to collaborate with the private sector including the business community, non-governmental organisations and the academia to promote nature conservation, and to conduct research and surveys as well as to manage ecologically important sites for such purpose; and
- to cooperate with and participate in regional and international efforts in nature conservation.
Twelve ecologically important sites were identified under the NNCP as priority sites for enhanced conservation. These twelve priority sites are the Ramsar Site, Sha Lo Tung, Tai Ho, Fung Yuen, Luk Keng Marsh, Mui Tsz Lam and Mau Ping, Wu Kau Tang, Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung, Deep Bay Wetland outside Ramsar Site, Cheung Sheung, Yung Shue O and Sham Chung.
Under the NNCP, two schemes, namely the Nature Conservation Management Agreement (MA) Scheme and the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scheme, were introduced to enhance the conservation of ecologically important sites, in particular those land under private ownership.
Nature Conservation Management Agreement Scheme
Under the MA Scheme, the Government provides funding support to non-profit-making organisations for entering into management agreements with landowners of the priority sites. In 2011, the MA Scheme was extended to cover country park enclaves and private land within country parks. At present, there are eight MA projects which are located at Fung Yuen, Long Valley and Ho Sheung Heung, Ramsar Site, Deep Bay Wetland outside Ramsar Site, Sha Lo Tung, Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong, and Sai Wan. Amongst which two MA projects are within country park enclaves, namely Lai Chi Wo, and Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong; and one MA project is in Sai Wan in private land within country park. Please visit here for more information about the MA Scheme.
Public-Private Partnership Scheme
Under the PPP Scheme, private developments of an agreed scale and plan will be allowed at the ecologically less sensitive portion (Developable Portion) of a site within the 12 priority sites, provided that land owners of the private land will provide a lump sum contribution to the Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF) sufficient to generate recurrent income to support the long-term conservation work for the ecologically more sensitive portion (Conservation Portion) of the site. The land owner shall retain private land ownership of the Conservation Portion and appoint a conservation agent to apply for time-limited funding from the ECF regularly to carry out the required conservation work.
Additional Option on Conservation Portion
With effect from 6 October 2021, an additional option will be provided to land owners to surrender the Conservation Portion to the Government for proactive conservation and management by the Government.
Under this option, land owners are still required to provide to the Government a lump sum contribution that is sufficient to generate recurrent income to support the long-term conservation work for the Conservation Portion. Full market value premium will continue to be charged in accordance with the established mechanism for the Developable Portion.
Under the PPP Scheme (regardless of whether the land owners opt for the additional option or the original option), land owners should submit a conservation and management plan (the Plan) to set out the long-term conservation programmes for the Conservation Portion and the estimated annual conservation budget (Annual Budget) for implementing the said conservation programmes. Subject to the finalisation of the Plan and other requirements of the PPP Scheme, the Environmental Protection Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department would assess the amount of the lump sum contribution required taking into account relevant factors including but not limited to the Annual Budget in the Plan, and the concerned land owners would be engaged as necessary during the relevant process.
Please visit here for more information on the detailed arrangements of the PPP Scheme and here for the relevant Government press release.