Launching of 2014’ “Shell Nature Watch – Butterfly Explorer”
Concerns over Development on Lantau
Long-term Monitoring of Butterflies at Mui Wo
“14.7 We Love Butterflies”
Release Date: 17Jun2014
Shell Hong Kong Limited in cooperation with Green Power today declared the opening of 2014’ “Shell Nature Watch - Butterfly Explorer”. Core activities include 14 July “We Love Butterflies”, “Butterfly Surveyor”, “Hong Kong Butterfly Festival”, “Butterfly Ambassador” and “Butterfly Club”.
“Butterfly Surveyor” presented by “Shell Nature Watch - Butterfly Explorer” continually monitors diverse butterfly hotspots in the territory. Matthew Sin, Senior Environmental Affairs Manager of Green Power says that Mui Wo on Lantau will also be included in the monitoring this year. Our preliminary ecological survey shows the area is rich in butterflies. Also, due to the government’s ongoing efforts to push for development of Lantau, Mr Sin wishes to gather butterfly ecological data from different areas of Lantau as soon as possible.
64 Butterflies Species recorded at Mui Wo
Three preliminary ecological surveys were conducted in Mui Wo. The route was from Chung Hau to Wo Tin, and 64 butterfly species were recorded. Among them were 14 uncommon species and 2 rare species: Cojoined Swift (Pelopidas conjunctus) and Falcate Oak Blue (Mahathala ameria). The former is larger than regular Skippers, while the shape of hindwings of the latter is chipped and easily recognised. “Mui Wo is connected to Lantau North Country Park and Lantau South Country Park, allowing movements of species between the three areas. Mui Wo also has various types of habitats for butterflies. According to past records, 85 species of butterflies have been recorded at Mui Wo. We believe that there will be more surprising discoveries by our Butterfly Surveyors during the upcoming year,” says Mr Sin.
Mr Sin says the inclusion of Mui Wo as a location for continual monitoring is due to the government’s ever increasing calls for Lantau’s development. Remarks from a member of newly established “Lantau Development Advisory Committee”, saying it is not impossible to release land from Lantau country parks, has raised many concerns about the conservation and development of Lantau. Mr Sin also says Lantau Island is in southwestern Hong Kong, and like Sai Kung Peninsula in the northeast acts as an important “backyard” for Hong Kong people, with lush greenery. 70% of Lantau falls within country parks, and there are eight locations designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (out of 70 throughout Hong Kong). He mentioned that with regards to discussions on development and conservation, development should not take priority over conservation.
There are at least 13 known butterfly hotspots on Lantau, such as Pui O, Tong Fuk, and Sha Lo Wan. Only very few of these hotspots are located in country parks, while the rest are located on the boundaries of country parks. Such hotspots in country park enclaves can be easily affected by developments. Early in 2008, Green Power began conducting butterfly surveys at San Tau, which is one of these hotspots. Within the last six years, there were between 60 to 90 butterfly species recorded each year, with little variation in number of species. Mui Wo is also one of the butterfly hotspots on Lantau.
22-person Butterfly Monitoring Team
The government has previously raised and announced various development plans for Lantau; major ones include the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Tung Chung New Town Extension, Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link, third runway for the Hong Kong International Airport and land reclamation for Siu Ho Wan and Sunny Bay. Mr Sin notes that the completion of transportation development will bring more ancillary facilities and real estate to Lantau, which will increase the demand for land. Rural land could be readily included in the development. On Lantau, much idle rural land that was formerly farmland, greenbelt and conservation area may be developed, subject to applying to amend its land use. He worries these habitats as well as the butterflies may eventually disappear.
Since members of Lantau Development Advisory Committee had recommended developing the country parks of Lantau and improving its transportation to increase development potential, Mr Sin says, “We strongly oppose the suggestions. The Lantau North Country Park and Lantau South Country Park cannot be reduced in size due to economic development, even if little land would be released. We must hold to our bottom line.”
Mr Sin further explained that currently Tung Chung Road is a restricted road. This protects the entire South Lantau. He worries that “traffic improvement” would be used as a reason for developing Tung Chung Road: “Compared with the development projects, traffic improvement of Lantau seems to be a reasonable request, but once Tung Chung Road is opened, development of Lantau would not cease. For this reason, any suggestions to open Tung Chung Road require careful consideration.”
A 22-person Butterfly Monitoring Team will regularly record the butterfly species and their numbers at Mui Wo. Data collected will be given to relevant departments for their reference. Mr Sin says butterflies indicate the ecological value of habitats. Any changes in their variety and number may reflect the status of a particular environment.
“14.7 We Love Butterflies”
Green Power announced that 14 July each year is designated as the “We Love Butterflies” Day. It is Hong Kong’s first day designated for the conservation and care of a certain group of wildlife. As in previous years, various events will be held to promote public concern about local butterflies. The theme for this year is “Map out Our Butterfly City”. Green Power has also prepared a “Butterfly Band” that members of the public can obtain for free. People can upload photos of the Butterfly Band being worn or other butterfly pictures. These photos will be automatically used to synthesis a map of Hong Kong. Participants will receive a cardholder designed by local brand Chocolate Rain.
Website: Hong Kong ButterflyNet -
Facebook page: Search “Butterfly Care”
Enquiries: 39610200
“Butter Surveyors”is a part of “Shell Nature Watch – Butterfly Explorer”. Co-organized by Shell Hong Kong Limited and Green Power since 2008, "Butterfly Surveyor" is the first butterfly surveyor group comprising members of the publicto collect data on local butterflies and to provide a continuous source of human resources. Currently, there are 166 eligible members surveying 9 locations: Mui Woand San Tau on Lantau; Pak Sha Wan and Lai Chi Chong, Sham Chung and Yung Shue O, Luk Keng, Wu Kau Tang, Lam Tsuen (She Shan and Ng Tung Chai), Tai Po, Yuen Tun Ha, Tai Po and Sha Tau Kok.
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