Crowds at campsites ‘not out of control’: Hong Kong conservation authorities

Hong Kong’s conservation authorities have defended their handling of heavy visitor flows to Sai Kung’s country parks over the Lunar New Year holiday, saying the popular spots were under control despite concerns about overcrowding, with 32 enforcement cases recorded during the period.But a Sai Kung district councillor also said that the number of campers at some popular sites had far exceeded recommended capacity levels, arguing that the government should consider introducing crowd control measures such as a reservation system to prevent further strains on facilities and the environment.Speaking on a radio programme on Tuesday, Esther To Man-wai, an assistant director for country parks at the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), said the crowd situation during the holiday had been “within expectations”.“We observed that after campers used the sites, the campsites quickly returned to their original condition,” she said.“We did not see serious environmental damage or any out-of-control situation.”To said officers had stepped up patrols, including at night, and sought to strike a balance between education and enforcement.She added that as of Monday, 32 enforcement actions had been taken during the holiday period across various locations.