Robin’s Nest Country Park established (with photos)

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (March 1) that Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP) was established the same day. 
 
     RNCP, occupying an area of about 530 hectares at Sha Tau Kok in Northeastern New Territories, is the 25th country park in Hong Kong. The Park lies on a continuum of mountain ridges stretching from the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area to the north and Pat Sin Leng Country Park to the south. Consisting of natural habitats including secondary woodland, shrubland and upland grassland, RNCP is rich in biodiversity with many species of high conservation value, such as red azalea, incense tree, Chinese grassbird and Chinese pipistrelle. 
 
     An AFCD spokesman said, "The undulating mountain ridges and intertwining natural streams at Robin's Nest provide a variety of habitats for wild animals and plants. Robin's Nest is geographically connected to Shenzhen Wutong Mountain, forming a cross-boundary ecological corridor between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The AFCD, together with the Shenzhen Wutong Mountain Scenic Area Management Authority, has been formulating a work programme, including information exchanges, research and enhancement of the quality of the ecological corridor, to create a larger area of continuous habitats and promote ecological integration of the two places."
 
     The spokesman also pointed out that a mine site in RNCP, once used for galena mining and being one of the largest mining systems in Hong Kong in the 1940s, was a unique cultural attraction.
 
     The AFCD will carry out management measures in RNCP for conservation, recreation and education purposes, and enforce the control under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations to conserve the natural environment, scenic landscape and cultural heritage resources, thereby enhancing biodiversity.
 
     The spokesman further said, "The AFCD are constructing recreational facilities such as a hiking trail network, picnic sites and viewing points in RNCP. At present, two hiking trails, namely Robin's Nest Country Trail and Lin Ma Hang Country Trail, are open for use. Their entrances are located respectively at Shan Tsui of Sha Ta Kok and Lin Ma Hang Village. Information boards, directional signs and distance posts, as well as viewing points and interpretation panels, will be installed along the hiking trails to facilitate hiking, nature and cultural heritage appreciation. Revitalisation works of Lin Ma Hang Lead Mine is underway, aiming to turn the site to an open museum showcasing the mining history and bat ecology to members of the public. The works are expected to be completed by end of this year."
 
     The spokesman reminded members of the public to take into account their physical strength, hiking experience and weather situation in planning a hike at RNCP as it is remotely located with a rugged landscape. It is normally a four-to-five-hour's walk along the two Country Trails. Moreover, members of the public are encouraged to go hiking with their friends or family members, and help conserve the countryside by practising proper hiking etiquette, for example by bringing along reusable water bottles and towels, and "Take Your Litter Home".
 
     Information about RNCP is available on the AFCD website (www.afcd.gov.hk) or the Enjoy Hiking website (www.hiking.gov.hk).