Green groups protest against man-made (人造的) beach

Various green groups marched(前進) yesterday from Central pier to the government headquarters at Tamar to protest against the building of an artificial beach at Lung Mei, Tai Po.

   

There are more than 200 types of marine life and insects (note1) in the area, including 97 species of butterflies, 35 percent of which are rare.

 

Wearing blue shirts symbolizing the ocean, the marchers took with them a petition containing more than 3,000 signatures urging the government to shelve (擱置) the project.

 

Hong Kong Wildlife Forum spokesman Wong Chi-chun stressed the ecological value of Lung Mei, with starfish and crabs living in its shallow waters and on the shore.  The government should not spend pubic money on an artificial beach that is not suitable for swimming and which will damage the natural environment, Wong said.

 

Many Hongkongers want to preserve the natural environment in Lung Mei, not only the green groups, he added.

 

He criticized the government for not spending enough time on public consultation before calling for (note 2) bids.

 

Wong said it will be difficult to change the decision since the Town Planning Board has given the project the go-signal (note 3) and the Legislative Council has approved the budget.

 

Nevertheless, the hopes the government will listen to their views before making a final decision.

 

The marchers would like to urge the government to build a public swimming pool at Lung Mei instead.

 

The green groups will have a meeting with different government departments today to explain the details of the proposed swimming pool.  Bidding for the Lung Mei project ends in mid-October and construction is expected to start next month.

 

Meanwhile, alleviating poverty (note 4) among our senior citizens ranks high on the agenda of the current administration.

 

(note 1) marine life and insects=海洋生物和昆蟲。例句: As there is a shortage in the supply of land, the government has decided to have more reclamation. However, this has raised much concern among citizens as this will endanger different kinds of marine life and insects.

 

(note 2) call for=求助。例句：I have decided to call for professors’ to see if there is another way to help with my studies.

 

(note 3) the go-signal=准許。例句：Before giving the go-signal on building the high-speed rail to Chinese cities, the government should spend more time on public consultation.

 

(note 4) alleviate poverty=舒緩貧窮。例句：There are many underprivileged people who are living hand-to mouth. In order to alleviate poverty, the government should provide subsidies to these people.