Tung Chung River

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Tung Chung River
Tung Chung River (Hong Kong).jpg
Tung Chung River
Physical characteristics
Mouth 
 • coordinates
22°16′48″N 113°55′46″E / 22.28°N 113.9295°E / 22.28; 113.9295Coordinates: 22°16′48″N 113°55′46″E / 22.28°N 113.9295°E / 22.28; 113.9295
Length4.31 km (2.68 mi)
Tung Chung River
Traditional Chinese東涌河

Tung Chung River is a river on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. It is designated by the governmental Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department as one of the "Ecologically Important Streams" within the territory.[1][2][3] It is 4.31 km in length.[4]

Ecology[]

According to the University of Hong Kong, Tung Chung River is home to more than 20 species of fish, including the Beijiang Thick-lipped Bard (Acrossocheilus beijiangensis), a species of conservation concern internationally. [5]

Rare tree species including those in the genera of Exbucklandia, Magnolia and Illicium are also present in the River area. A part of the river catchment at the upper course has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[5]

History[]

Illegal Excavation for Hong Kong Disneyland project[]

In 2003, a 330-metre section of this Ecologically Important Stream near was found damaged by unauthorised excavations. It was later revealed that the boulders illegally excavated from this river were used by a subcontractor to build Hong Kong Disneyland.[6] About 400 tonnes of the boulders were brought to Penny's Bay to create an artificial lake as part of the development of the adjacent Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.[7] In response, the government jailed the chairman of village interest group Tung Chung Rural Committee along with several others for this illegal activity. [8]

Current situation[]

The government has touted this river as a potential eco-tourism area, but in a recent survey in 2021, over 90 per cent of respondents think that the government should "conserve the river and its estuary by restoring damaged areas, setting up conservation areas and restricting the number of tourists", according to a local media outlet.[9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "東涌河 Tung Chung River". 香港生物多樣性資料庫 HKBIS. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  2. ^ "DSD ECO - River Channels/Overview". www.dsd.gov.hk. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  3. ^ "Ecologically Important Streams". www.afcd.gov.hk. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  4. ^ "Story Map Journal". foss.hku.hk. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  5. ^ a b "JC WISE - Rivers@HK Database | Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU". www.jcwise.hk. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  6. ^ "Where has the stream life in the Tung Chung stream gone". www.wwf.org.hk. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  7. ^ "Official faces disciplinary action over Tung Chung river boulders". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2021-03-25.
  8. ^ "4 jailed for Tung Chung rock racket". www.news.gov.hk. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  9. ^ "Most people fear ecotourism hit for Tong Chung".
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