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Rangers reveal rural gems

May 24, 2015

Rural gem

Rural gem:  Bride's Pool waterfall in Tai Po is popular with hikers because of its picturesque beauty.

Safety warning

Safety warning:  Hikers are warned not to get too close to Bride's Pool waterfall, as there can be dangerous flash floods in bad weather.

Scenic setting

Scenic setting:  A safer alternative to Bride's Pool is Chiu Keng Tam, better known as Mirror Pool, which is equally idyllic.

Trail etiquette

Trail etiquette:  Cyclists are advised to control their speed and be considerate to hikers to avoid accidents.

Nature's guardians

Nature's guardians:   Wardens work hard to protect the natural beauty of country parks.

Hong Kong may be better known as a bustling metropolis of glass and steel structures, but out of its 1,108 square kilometre land mass, about three-quarters is countryside.

 

It is the job of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department wardens to make sure these rural spaces are protected and preserved.

 

The park wardens make regular patrols - usually in pairs - to make sure visitors are not catching wild animals, cutting or picking plants, or causing damage to the picturesque environment. They are also responsible for maintaining park facilities and educating visitors.

 

Senior Park Warden Chow Kwok-wah has 30 years' experience under his belt. One of his duties is to patrol Plover Cove Country Park in Tai Po. It is a popular hiking spot because of Bride's Pool waterfall.

 

Safety first

Mr Chow said visitors usually spend their time at Bride's Pool playing in the water or having picnics nearby. But he was concerned when he saw some people trying to climb the rock face, as it is extremely dangerous.

 

He warned hikers not to get too close to the waterfalls as the weather is unpredictable and there can be flash floods after heavy rain, which has ended in tragedy in the past.

 

Mr Chow's advice is to visit the safer alternative of nearby Chiu Keng Tam - better known as Mirror Pool - which is just as idyllic.

 

"We can keep a safe distance from the waterfall. I hope visitors will be mindful of their safety while taking in the beautiful scenery," he said.

 

Trail etiquette

For those who would rather enjoy the sights at a faster pace, there are 10 designated mountain bike trails at various country parks. In November 2014, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department scrapped the Mountain Bike Permit System, so cyclists no longer have to apply for a permit to ride on the designated trails.

 

Hikers and mountain bikers often end up sharing the same trails, so park wardens provide safety advice to both. There are signs along the route reminding people of trail etiquette.

 

"Cyclists are advised to control their speed and be considerate to avoid accidents. For example, cyclists should stop and give way to hikers on narrow and steep paths," Park Warden Fung Kin-keung said.

 

At one with nature

One of the advantages of being a country park warden is being able to get up close and personal with Hong Kong's stunning variety of wildlife.

 

Chan Oi-keung has been working as a park warden for nearly 30 years. He is always pleasantly surprised when he spots a wild boar, barking deer, Burmese python or Chinese porcupine on his patrols.

 

The wardens advised hikers to be well-prepared for their trip, especially after a recent spate of hiking accidents, which they believe were caused by a lack of safety knowledge. They also recommended bringing enough water and emergency food supplies - preferably high calorie foods that are easy to carry, such as glucose, raisins or chocolate.

 

Nature's enemy

The wardens work hard to protect the natural beauty of Hong Kong's country parks but they admit hill fires are a formidable enemy.

 

For Mr Chow, the worst experience of his career was the 1996 hill fire at Pat Sin Leng in which five people died. He was involved in the rescue effort.

 

"Hill fires are nature's enemy. All our conservation efforts and decades of shrubland and plantation growth are destroyed in one fell swoop," he said.



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