Dwi Wanna
Environmental watchdog Greenpeace has issued a stark warning to the Hong Kong government, calling for an urgent review of its ecotourism policies and a significant reduction in visitor quotas for the increasingly popular Po Pin Chau trail in Sai Kung. The NGO’s urgent appeal comes in the wake of observing severe overcrowding and noticeable environmental damage on the trail during the inaugural day of the Golden Week holiday. The findings directly contradict official statements and highlight a growing tension between the desire to promote tourism and the imperative to protect fragile natural ecosystems.
The Po Pin Chau trail, a key attraction within the UNESCO Global Geopark of Hong Kong, experienced a surge of visitors on Thursday, October 1, 2026, coinciding with China’s National Day and the commencement of a week-long national holiday. This influx, according to Greenpeace, overwhelmed the trail’s capacity, leading to a cascade of negative environmental impacts. Despite the recent implementation of a reservation system aimed at mitigating overtourism, the NGO’s observations suggest the current measures are insufficient to manage the demand, particularly during peak holiday periods.
Escalating Environmental Concerns
Greenpeace representatives, who inspected the site early on Thursday morning, reported witnessing a significant number of tourists arriving before the official 9 am start time of the booking system. This preemptive rush, the group stated, bypassed the intended regulatory controls and contributed to the day’s overcrowding. The NGO’s detailed observations painted a grim picture of ecological degradation:
- Erosion and Vegetation Damage: The sheer volume of foot traffic led to noticeable erosion along the trail. Plants were trampled underfoot, disrupting the delicate balance of the local flora. Some visitors, in an attempt to find easier or more scenic routes, strayed from the designated paths, causing further damage to adjacent vegetation.
- Widespread Littering: Discarded plastic bottles, tissues, and food remnants were found strewn across the natural landscape, a clear indication of irresponsible visitor behavior. The accumulation of litter not only detracts from the natural beauty but also poses a threat to local wildlife.
- Sanitation Issues: Most disturbingly, Greenpeace documented instances where visitors were suspected of defecating in natural areas, including near a cliffside beach. This practice raises serious hygiene concerns and poses a significant risk of contaminating the environment and potentially impacting water sources.
- Overcapacity at Viewing Platforms: The Po Pin Chau viewing platform, reportedly designed to accommodate a maximum of 25 people, was observed by Greenpeace at noon on Thursday to be occupied by 64 individuals. This significant exceeding of capacity creates safety hazards and diminishes the visitor experience, while also placing undue stress on the infrastructure.
These findings stand in stark contrast to the official assessment provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). In a Facebook post, the AFCD stated that approximately 1,160 people visited the Po Pin Chau trail on Thursday and described the overall situation as "generally smooth and well-ordered." This discrepancy in reporting highlights a potential gap in the monitoring and assessment of the trail’s condition and visitor management effectiveness.
The New Reservation System and Its Shortcomings
The introduction of a real-name booking system for the Po Pin Chau trail, effective from September, was intended to address the growing problem of overtourism. Under this scheme, visitors are required to book in advance to access the trail between 9 am and 5 pm on weekends and public holidays throughout September and October. The daily entry limit was set at 2,000 visitors. However, the success of this system appears to be limited, particularly during extended holiday periods like Golden Week.
Authorities had previously announced that some days during the National Day Golden Week holiday were already fully booked, indicating a high level of demand. While the AFCD reported a lower number of visitors than the daily cap on the first day, Greenpeace’s observations suggest that the system’s implementation and enforcement may need refinement. The NGO’s assertion that visitors circumvented the 9 am start time by arriving earlier points to a need for stricter control measures and potentially adjusted operating hours for the booking system.
Greenpeace’s Urgent Calls for Action
In light of their findings, Greenpeace is advocating for a more robust and conservation-focused approach to ecotourism management in Hong Kong. The NGO has put forth several key recommendations for the government to consider:
- Reduced Daily Visitor Quotas: Greenpeace is urging the government to significantly lower the current daily limit of 2,000 reservations for the Po Pin Chau trail. This reduction, they argue, is essential to allow the natural environment to recover and to prevent cumulative damage.
- Temporary Closures and Seasonal Management: The NGO suggests considering temporary closures of heavily damaged sections of the trail to facilitate ecological recovery. Furthermore, they propose the implementation of seasonal closures in certain areas to allow for natural regeneration and to protect sensitive ecosystems during vulnerable periods.
- Adoption of a "Conservation-First Ecotourism Policy": Greenpeace emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in policy, prioritizing conservation over sheer visitor numbers. This approach, they argue, should guide all future ecotourism development and management strategies in Hong Kong.
- Comprehensive Carrying-Capacity Studies: The NGO calls for the government to conduct thorough carrying-capacity studies for ecologically sensitive areas across Hong Kong. These studies should inform the development of appropriate management measures, ensuring that ecotourism activities are truly sustainable and do not lead to irreversible environmental degradation.
Broader Implications for Hong Kong’s Natural Heritage
The situation at Po Pin Chau is emblematic of a larger challenge facing popular natural attractions worldwide: balancing accessibility and economic benefits with the critical need for environmental preservation. Hong Kong, with its unique geopark and extensive country park system, faces particular pressure from both domestic and international tourism, especially during major holiday periods.
The UNESCO Global Geopark status of Sai Kung underscores its global significance and the responsibility that comes with its designation. Damage to its natural features, including erosion, habitat destruction, and pollution, not only diminishes its aesthetic and ecological value but also potentially jeopardizes its status as a protected World Heritage site.
The AFCD’s role in managing these natural assets is crucial. While the implementation of a booking system is a step in the right direction, the observations by Greenpeace suggest that the current measures are not adequately addressing the scale of the challenge. The department’s reliance on self-reporting and its potentially optimistic assessment of the situation raise questions about the effectiveness of their monitoring mechanisms.
The Path Forward: A Call for Sustainable Ecotourism
The debate over ecotourism management in Hong Kong is likely to intensify as visitor numbers continue to grow. Greenpeace’s intervention serves as a vital reminder that sustainable tourism requires a proactive and precautionary approach. The recommendations put forth by the NGO are grounded in the principles of ecological conservation and aim to ensure that Hong Kong’s natural heritage is preserved for future generations.
The government faces the complex task of integrating conservation imperatives with the economic opportunities presented by ecotourism. This requires not only effective policy implementation and enforcement but also a commitment to scientific assessment and adaptive management. The findings at Po Pin Chau trail offer a critical opportunity for the AFCD and other relevant authorities to reassess their current strategies and to embrace a more holistic and conservation-centric vision for Hong Kong’s ecotourism future. Without such a shift, the very natural beauty that attracts visitors to places like Sai Kung risks being irrevocably damaged, undermining the long-term viability of ecotourism and the integrity of Hong Kong’s precious natural landscapes.
Basiran
Lina Hope
