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OUR PERFORMANCE

• guidelines circulated to staff regularly to remind them that shark fins

and other endangered species should be avoided as cuisines for official
banquets or departmental staff activities as an endeavor of environmental

protection; and

• government/departmental forms uploaded onto the Intranet for staff's easy
retrieval.

Conservation-Related Zones

The scarcity of land resulting in increasing development pressure poses threats
to our natural environment. Through zoning designation, we help safeguard

our natural environment against undesirable development in areas of high

conservation value. As at end 2020, about 11 948 ha of land in the territory
(or 20% of land within statutory plans) fall within the following conservation-
related zones on the relevant statutory plans: 'Conservation Area', 'Site of

Special Scientific Interest', 'Country Park', 'Coastal Protection Area', and 'Other

Specified Uses' annotated 'Comprehensive Development to include Wetland
Restoration Area'; 'Comprehensive Development and Wetland Enhancement
Area'; and 'Comprehensive Development and Wetland Protection Area'.

Planning Enforcement against Unauthorised Developments

Unauthorised developments (UDs) have led to environmental degradation
in the rural New Territories and caused nuisance to the local communities.

Problems incurred such as flooding, environmental pollution, traffic congestion
have posed threat to public safety. Enforcement and prosecution actions

against the UDs are essential to help prevent further degradation of the rural
environment (see Appendix 3 for summary of enforcement and prosecution

actions in 2020). To increase public awareness and to keep the public
informed of planning enforcement and prosecution actions against UDs in the

rural New Territories, the Department has promulgated regular information
and publicity materials in television, radio and Planning Department's website.

ANNUAL REPORT 2020/2021 80