Environmental Impact of Reclamation in Hong Kong

Rani Cheung, Edwin Ho, Chelsea Kwok, Michael Li, Sevilla Lee

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Hong Kong, China

Project Abstract

In order to cope with the rapid growth of the population in Hong Kong, reclamation projects have long been conducted in Hong Kong since the mid-19th century. A variety of reclamation methods are being used for increasing land supply to facilitate the development of Hong Kong. Undoubtedly, nature is greatly affected.

According to statistics from 2018, the land reclaimed in Hong Kong has exceeded 67 square kilometers. It brings several changes to Hong Kong’s marine ecology and coastal environment. Due to the destruction of the natural shoreline for reclamation, the number of pink dolphins has dramatically declined. A physical removal of seabed causes injuries to the natural marine communities. For coastal areas, today's harbor reclamation has threatened the function of the harbor and the environmental capacity of the harbor declines.

In our project, there is an attempt to identify the changes and impact of the reclamation in Hong Kong. In the past few months, we participated in fieldtrips to reclaimed areas. With the information from the Society for Protection of the Harbor, we are aware of the harm from reclamation and the importance of protecting the harbor.

Minimizing the adverse changes from reclamation is our first priority, a new non-dredge reclamation method should be adopted more generally in the coming future. This can help preserve marine ecology and comply with the principle of sustainable development.