Ecological Mitigation Measures

Main Drainage Channels for Fanling, Sheung Shui and Hinterland

Objective:

Enhancement of abandoned meanders to compensate for the loss of floodplain and riverine habitats due to the river training works and to create suitable habitats for wildlife.

Details:

Ecological enhancement works were carried out in 8 meanders and a pond along River Beas near Long Valley. Works included re-contouring the sites, modifying the hydrology and planting wetland species.

Results:

A total of 39 species of birds, mainly wetland dependent birds and small insectivorous birds, were recorded. A locally rare wetland dependent bird species, Rostratula benghalensis (Greater Painted-snipe), at different life stages were also recorded. This suggests that the enhanced wetland habitats provide suitable habitats for a number of avifauna, in particular wetland dependent species.

Reference:

Lam, S.K.S., Lee, W.H., Wong, B.S.F. (2004). Some Ecological Mitigation Measures for the Main Drainage Channel Projects in Hong Kong. In Proceedings for the 3rd European Conference on River Restoration, Zagreb, Crotia, 17-21 May 2004.

Photos:

Location of the 8 enhanced meanders and the pond along River Beas

An enhanced abandoned meander along River Beas

The enhanced pond near River Beas

Greater Painted-snipe - Male and chicks were recorded at the enhanced wetland habitat