The Natural Resources & Nature Conservation Policy in Hong Kong

Nature conservation is a central feature of the Government's plans for the future of Hong Kong. Here you can learn about the diversity of local natural resources and what the Government is doing to manage and protect them.

Hong Kong, the Wilderness

Hong Kong has a wide range of habitats that support many thousands of plant and animal species. It also has a great deal to offer with its abundance of wilderness areas. With a range of country and marine parks available for exploration, you can easily get in touch with nature.

Information about visiting country and marine parks

The Natural Environment, Plants and Animals in Hong Kong

In the many natural areas that surround the urban heartland of Hong Kong live a surprising variety of plant and animal species. Even the urban parks are home to more species than you might imagine. The following link will take you to a page on this biodiversity to give you an idea of the bigger picture.

More on the natural environment, plants and animals in Hong Kong

Register of Old and Valuable Trees

The Register of Old and Valuable Trees lists trees of special significance to Hong Kong. Trees on un-leased Government land within built-up areas or tourist attraction spots in the village areas can be included in the Register if they fulfil the selection criteria. They can be sorted into one of numerous categories.

More on the Register of Old and Valuable Trees

Protection of Endangered Species

The Hong Kong Government takes the protection of endangered species very seriously. International standards and local initiatives are used to ensure that highly endangered species remain protected, and that the trade in any endangered species is strictly regulated. A dedicated Resource Centre is leading other education efforts to make sure that you know why it is so important to protect all species of plants and animals that are under threat of extinction.

More on the protection of endangered species

New Nature Conservation Policy

The Hong Kong Government promulgated the New Nature Conservation Policy in 2004 to regulate, protect and manage natural resources for the conservation of the biodiversity of Hong Kong in a sustainable manner. Under this policy, twelve Priority Sites for Enhanced Conservation were identified by the Government, and the Public-Private Partnership and Management Agreement schemes were proposed, with a view to enhancing the conservation of these ecologically important sites under private ownership.

More on the New Nature Conservation PolicyLatest development

Countryside Conservation

To protect the natural ecology of the countryside, revitalise the architectural environment of villages and conserving cultural resources, a Countryside Conservation Office (CCO) was established in end July 2018 to coordinate conservation projects that promote sustainable development of remote countryside. $1 billion has been earmarked for the CCO to implement conservation efforts and revitalisation works.

More on Hong Kong’s countryside conservation
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Last revision date: August 2023