Horticulture and Amenities

Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

The Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, the 5.6-hectare 'green lung' overlooking Central District, is a conservation centre for 14 endangered mammal, bird and reptile species. Home to about 380 birds of 120 species, more than 15 of which have reared offspring, the zoo is one of the most comprehensive in Asia. The mammal collection of 60 animals – mainly primates － represents 16 species. In early 2010, a 15-year-old male Bornean orangutan became the newest inhabitant in the Gardens. Named Vandu, the animal, which came to Hong Kong from a Hungarian zoo, has been paired with the Gardens' two female orangutans for conservation breeding.

Trees, shrubs, creepers and foliage of more than 900 species thrive in the Gardens. A herb garden was established in 1987 and a greenhouse was built in 1993. These facilities contain about 500 species of herbs, orchids, ferns, bromeliads, and carnivorous and indoor plants. A new education and exhibition centre, completed in 2008, displays botanical and zoological specimens and offers teaching facilities and guided visits.

Guided visits to Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens provide opportunities for students to learn about animals and environmental protection.

Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Park, Tuen Mun Park and Yuen Long Park also feature zoological specimens.

Zoological and Horticultural Education

A number of zoological and horticultural education programmes have been established to raise public interest in conservation and green issues. Around 21 500 people participated in 431 zoological programmes in 2010-11, and more than 22 500 in 428 horticultural programmes. Some 610 education programmes were organised for more than 19 000 students.

Girl guides learn about birds in a conservation course at Kowloon Park.

The zoological and horticultural education exhibitions at Kowloon Park attracted about 8 000 and 9 000 visitors respectively during the year. Roving exhibitions were also held at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Hong Kong Park, Yuen Long Park, Tuen Mun Park, North District Park and Lai Chi Kok Park, while 15 courses were organised to educate the public on conservation. The encouraging feedback attests to the success of these programmes.

The zoological and horticultural education exhibition at Kowloon Park aims to improve public knowledge about animals and develop their interest in animal ecology and nature conservation.

The Zoo and Horticulture Education Unit of the Department supports environmental education through guided visits for students and organisations.

Tree Management

The Department is responsible for management and maintenance of over 650 000 trees, including about 480 Old and Valuable Trees. They are located in parks, tree pits and roadside landscaped area.

Since May 2010, the Department has implemented a new tree management manpower structure with the formation of six regional tree teams, aiming at ensuring that tree management work is carried out in a more systematic and effective manner. In 2010-11, the Department carried out tree maintenance/trimming work for about 95 000 trees.

Apart from tree maintenance, the Department's tree-planting programme continued with about 2 000 trees planted in 2010-11. Most were planted during the rainy season (March to October) to ensure stable growth.

Seventy per cent of these trees were planted in the New Territories, with the remainder planted in the urban areas, including 1 200 along roadsides and 800 in parks and gardens. Traditionally planted for functional purposes such as providing shade, screening, soil protection and conservation, tree planting is also an excellent way to green the environment. In recent years, we have emphasised aesthetics. In 2010-11, for example, about 1 400 flowering trees, including Bauhinia blakeana, Bauhinia variegata, Lagerstroemia speciosa and Tabebuia chrysantha were planted for greater visual impact and stronger seasonal colours.

Officiating guests at the Ma On Shan Promenade Opening cum Tree Planting Ceremony plant Cassia trees at the Promenade, symbolising the sustainability of the Promenade and other facilities in the district.

Horticultural and Landscape Services

As the Department is responsible for improving the urban environment and overall landscape, we collect the latest horticultural and arboricultural information to update policies and guidelines. The Department periodically reviews its practices to ensure high-level management and maintenance standards of community amenities.

As part of the programme to make Hong Kong greener, we closely monitor planting programmes in all districts, with the emphasis on preserving existing trees and nurturing new ones, including those planted on development sites. During the year, we successfully preserved more than 2 300 trees.

The Department closely monitors trees to strengthen tree preservation and nurturance.

The Department is also responsible for vetting the landscaping of all new public works projects to ensure maximum planting and high-quality landscape work. In 2010-11, landscape improvements were made on 23 hectares of existing venues, vacant government land and roadside amenities.