Green groups in Hong Kong, including the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society, Greenpeace, and the Conservancy Association, have expressed concerns that the city leader’s endorsement of the planned San Tin Technopole project could lead to public misconceptions about the ecological importance of the abandoned fish ponds earmarked for clearance. They contend that the project may not fully account for the ecological value of these inactive ponds, which provide habitats for Eurasian Otters and numerous bird species due to reduced human interference.
Half of the fish ponds in the Wetland Conservation Area remain active, contributing significantly to the local freshwater fish supply. While some ponds have been abandoned in recent years, they still serve as valuable ecosystems.
Conservationists point to recent viral social media posts showcasing the presence of migratory birds, including black-faced spoonbills, Eurasian spoonbills, and grey herons, foraging in these seemingly abandoned ponds. They argue that the government’s plan to fill in 90 hectares of these fish ponds and compensate for the ecological loss through a smaller wetland conservation park is inadequate.
Green groups maintain that abandoned fish ponds are crucial for preserving biodiversity and that the ‘no-net-loss’ wetland principle, which is widely applied in Hong Kong and elsewhere, must be strictly adhered to. They emphasize the importance of considering both the area and quality of wetland habitats when assessing potential impacts.
The Conservancy Association has criticized the project’s environmental impact assessment, alleging 35 violations of statutory requirements and guidelines, as well as 27 technical assessment and data errors. They argue that the assessment lacks sufficient data on whether habitat loss can be adequately compensated and express concern about the lack of consequences if ecological value declines despite compensation initiatives.
The final approval of the environmental impact assessment report lies with the city’s director of environmental protection. The technopole project also requires approval from the Town Planning Board, which assesses land zoning applications and provides recommendations to the city leader and government advisors for the final decision.
