Green Lamma Green

Officiating guests Mr. Keith Kwok (middle), Mr. Francis Lee (2nd from the right) and Ms. Lister Cheung(2nd on the left) in the launching ceremony.

In three years, Lamma Island will be greener and more exquisite. Hongkong Electric Holdings Limited (HK Electric) and the Conservancy Association joint hands to launch a 3-year "Green Lamma Green" programme on Lamma Island. Through adding greenery to the environment, beautifying the Lamma Island Family Trail and optimising environmental education, the programme aims to strengthen habitat conservations and people's awareness of environmental protection, thus push the tourism of Lamma Island on the way to sustainable development.

Right after the launching ceremony in Yung Shue Wan was a tree planting activity. 20 voluntary leaders from HK Electric led more than 100 students from Kowloon, New Territories and Lamma Island to root the tress there.

"Green Lamma Green" programme will be implemented in three phases. In the first year, 1500 local-foreign blended trees will be planted to make the surroundings greener. Wood protection work follows. Research surveys will be carried out to find out the needs for development and environmental enhancement, which help sustainable development objectives and projects come into practices.

In the second year, 500 ornamental flowering shrubs and local trees like Chinese New Year Flower and Azalea will be planted in suitable areas alongside the Family Trail. Education signs will also be set up along the trail to introduce the ecological characters and interesting information of the animals and plants nearby. The focuses of final year will be wood protection and eco-tour guide trainings that facilitate eco-tour development on the Island.
 

Near 200 primary and secondary school students joint voluntary workers from HK Electric in this event.

Mr Keith Kwok, Permanent Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Environment)/Director of Environmental Protection, expressed great support in the collaborating programme of HK Electric and the Conservancy Association.

Kwok continued, "We've always encouraged and supported the environmental protection work by the community groups in a great deal, including countryside greening. That makes the habitat richer and benefits the general public. I hope when 'Green Lamma Green' programme completes three years later, Lamma Island will become more beautiful. More citizens will have their excursions here for the greenery around, sharing the achievements of this programme.

Director and General Manager (Engineering) of Hongkong Electric, Mr. Francis Lee, said HK Electirc devotes restlessly in promoting environmental protection and sustainable development concept. Great support has been given to activities that better the environment of Hong Kong and raise people's awareness of environmental protection, especially the "Green Lamma Green" programme on Lamma Island that concerns HK Electric much.

"HK Electric cares about the environment of Lamma Island and the development here. We are pleased to support this programme favouring the Island, so leaders among the HK Electric Voluntary worker team were appointed to assist the programme execution," added Lee.

He wishes to contribute to the Lamma residents by making the Island greener and more scenic so that it attracts more visitors. This can bring economic benefits and add environmental value to the Island.
 

With the help of HK Electric voluntary workers, more than 100 students took part in making Lamma Island green.

Lister Cheung, Chief Executive of the Conservancy Association, thanked the governmental departments and local organisations for supporting the programme. " 'Green Lamma Green' is more than an environmental optimisation programme. It is a partnership project of the government, private organisations and the local community to promote the conservation of Lamma's natural environment. It's also hoped that the programme can act as a demonstration of sustainable development projects on Lamma Island.

In the coming three years, the Conservancy Association will co-ordinate the programme execution and provide appropriate trainings in order to get the long-term goals of sustainable development of the "Green Lamma Green" programme attained.