Long Valley, Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
Long Valley is a wetland
in the Sheung Shui
of the New Territories
in Hong Kong
. The wetland was originally formed by the rice
paddies
between Shek Sheung River
and Sheung Yue River
.
The place became notable in Hong Kong when Lok Ma Chau Spur Line
of KCR
was decided to build across the wetland. It was aroused much concern from environmental group that the construction affects the habitats of the wetland. Several methods including flyover and tunnel has been discussed. The land owners criticised the environmental groups damaging their interests.
Long Valley became notable in Hong Kong when the KCR proposed building the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line across this, the last and largest agricultural wetland in Hong Kong. This proposal aroused great concern from environmental groups and others that the construction would greatly affect the habitats of the wetland, including waterfowl, water levels, etc. Several methods thereafter proposed included a flyover or a tunnel under the wetland. It was finally decided to tunnel under the wetland at great cost.
During the process of public discussion private land owners strongly criticised environmental groups because land owners feared a damage to their interests. Local farmers and tenants, however, feared for the loss of their own means of income and lifestyle, even though they are an aging group of farmers.
Subsequent to the revised proposal several key projects were initiated to improve the quality of Long Valley. Among these The Conservancy Association (www.conservancy.org.hk) began a sustainable development project that would unify social, economic and environmental concerns. These included helping farmers shift from traditional farming practices to organic farming, organizing ecotours to educate the public about Long Valley and restoring abandoned lands to various types of wetlands.
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
in the Sheung Shui
Sheung Shui
Sheung Shui is an area in New Territories, Hong Kong. Sheung Shui Town, a part of this area, is part of the Fanling-Sheung Shui New Town in the North District of Hong Kong. Fanling Town is to its southeast.-History:...
of the New Territories
New Territories
New Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...
in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. The wetland was originally formed by the rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
paddies
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
between Shek Sheung River
Shek Sheung River
Shek Sheung River , is a river in northern New Territories, Hong Kong. It originates from near Choi Po Court and Hong Kong Golf Club. The river flows beside East Rail Line and eventually empties into Ng Tung River.-External links:*, in Chinese...
and Sheung Yue River
Sheung Yue River
Sheung Yue River is a river in northern New Territories, Hong Kong. Its sources are near Kai Kung Leng and Ki Lun Shan, where numerous streams flow into the river. It flows through Kwu Tung and Sheung Shui. It joins up with Shek Sheung River and eventually empties into Ng Tung River.Beas River...
.
The place became notable in Hong Kong when Lok Ma Chau Spur Line
Lok Ma Chau Spur line
The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line is the second railway link between Hong Kong and Mainland China, relieving passenger congestion at Lo Wu Station. The alignment branches off the existing MTR East Rail Line north of Sheung Shui Station and then runs to the Lok Ma Chau Station where customs and...
of KCR
Kowloon-Canton Railway
The Kowloon–Canton Railway refers to a railway network in Hong Kong which is now combined with the MTR railway system, comprising rapid transit services, a light rail system and feeder bus routes within Hong Kong, and intercity passenger and freight train services to the rest of China...
was decided to build across the wetland. It was aroused much concern from environmental group that the construction affects the habitats of the wetland. Several methods including flyover and tunnel has been discussed. The land owners criticised the environmental groups damaging their interests.
Long Valley became notable in Hong Kong when the KCR proposed building the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line across this, the last and largest agricultural wetland in Hong Kong. This proposal aroused great concern from environmental groups and others that the construction would greatly affect the habitats of the wetland, including waterfowl, water levels, etc. Several methods thereafter proposed included a flyover or a tunnel under the wetland. It was finally decided to tunnel under the wetland at great cost.
During the process of public discussion private land owners strongly criticised environmental groups because land owners feared a damage to their interests. Local farmers and tenants, however, feared for the loss of their own means of income and lifestyle, even though they are an aging group of farmers.
Subsequent to the revised proposal several key projects were initiated to improve the quality of Long Valley. Among these The Conservancy Association (www.conservancy.org.hk) began a sustainable development project that would unify social, economic and environmental concerns. These included helping farmers shift from traditional farming practices to organic farming, organizing ecotours to educate the public about Long Valley and restoring abandoned lands to various types of wetlands.
See also
- Sheung ShuiSheung ShuiSheung Shui is an area in New Territories, Hong Kong. Sheung Shui Town, a part of this area, is part of the Fanling-Sheung Shui New Town in the North District of Hong Kong. Fanling Town is to its southeast.-History:...
- North DistrictNorth District, Hong KongNorth District is the northernmost district of the 18 districts of Hong Kong. It is located in the northwestern part of the New Territories. The new town of Fanling-Sheung Shui is within this district. It had a population of 298,657 in 2001. The district has the second lowest population density.It...
- WetlandWetlandA wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
- New TerritoriesNew TerritoriesNew Territories is one of the three main regions of Hong Kong, alongside Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. It makes up 86.2% of Hong Kong's territory. Historically, it is the region described in The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory...