Talk of the town : Preserving our hiking routes
【明報專訊】Hiking is a popular physical activity for Hong Kong people. Different types of hiking routes can be found in Hong Kong, including those that let you explore nature, enjoy special scenery, visit sites of historical heritage, as well as spend great family time.
The total length of hiking routes in Hong Kong is around 500 kilometres. Most of these routes were built manually. Wong Fook Yee, the former Assistant Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), states that most of the current hiking routes in country parks existed before the 1970s. While many of them are more than 300 years old, they were not connected at that time.
The damage of hiking routes
The AFCD pointed out that some hiking routes have been seriously damaged by extreme weather such as heavy rains and landslides, coupled with frequent hiking activities during the pandemic and the resumption of cross-country running activities after the pandemic. A member of a local environmental organization, the Green Earth, has been voluntarily restoring hiking trails with natural materials such as rocks.
"Leave No Trace" concept
The Green Earth has been promoting the concept of "Leave No Trace" (無痕山林) to lessen humans' disturbance of the natural environment. The concept aims to build sustainable trails and it suggests that users:
1. Choose the location carefully,
especially for group activities
2. Stick to existing trails instead of
creating shortcuts
3. Take their litter home
4. Keep nature in its natural state
5. Respect wildlife
6. Be considerate towards other users
■Grammar booster
Couple with
"Couple with" is a phrasal verb, which means in addition to something else.
E.g. Overproduction, coupled with falling sales, has led to huge losses for the company.
■Game
I'm a mountain located between Kowloon Tong and Tai Wai.
There's a well-known Cantonese song named after me.
I also represent the spirit of the Hong Kong people.
What am I?
■Gear up
The resumption of cross-country running activities is one of the reasons why hiking routes have been seriously damaged.
(True / False)
■Glossary
heritage (n) 歷史遺產
landslide (n) 山泥傾瀉
cross-country running (n) 越野跑
shortcut (n) 捷徑
■Game Answer: Lion Rock
■Gear up Answer: True
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第391期]
