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Forest Village: Booklet on Footpath Restoration
Project Category
Nature Conservation Management Agreement Projects
Forest Village: Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme (2021-2024) (2024-2027)
Proponent:
Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong
Site:
Mui Tsz Lam, Kop Tong
Project Description
Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong are two highland Hakka villages located in the northeastern New Territories, with a history of more than 300 years. As villagers moved out, the once vibrant community has declined. Villagers have lost their diverse interactions with nature, and biodiversity and corresponding ecological values have slowly changed and disappeared. This project aims to conserve, revitalise and enhance the natural, cultural and landscape value of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong village by restoration of farmlands, enhancement of habitats, and adaptive repurposing of village assets, and promotes eco-tourism in achieving the ultimate goal of rehabilitating the villages.
Phase 1 was completed in 2024. With an aim of sustaining the revitalisation efforts, the project organisation proposes to adopt a long-term development and sustainability model in Phase 2. They have designed a series of measures and activities that will have a long-term impact, including nature conservation, public education and community engagement, architectural and cultural assets conservation, and formulation of assessment tools to promote the long-term and sustainable development of the villages.
Grant Approved
1st Phase: HK$14,990,600
2nd Phase: HK$15,000,000
Project Duration
1st Phase: 01/02/2021 - 30/04/2024
2nd Phase: 01/05/2024 - 30/04/2027
Management Measure
1. Restore mosaics of land uses of “Forest Village Ecosystem” to enhance biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services;
2. Conserve upland forest species and protect their habitats;
3. Promote adaptive repurposing of tangible and intangible rural assets to support the sustainable development of the villages;
4. Foster a sense of community and facilitate collective local actions among stakeholders in nature and cultural conservation
How To Get There
1 | Ma Liu Shui Kaito Ferry + Hiking |
• Take Kaito Ferry to Lai Chi Wo, then hike for about 30 minutes to Mui Tsz Lam and further for 15 minutes to Kop Tong
• Every Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays
• Departure: Ma Liu Shui No.3 Pier at 09：00
• Return: Lai Chi Wo Pier at 15：30
2 | Tai Shui Hang Kaito Ferry + Hiking |
• Take Kaito Ferry to Lai Chi Wo, then hike for about 30 minutes to Mui Tsz Lam and further for 15 minutes to Kop Tong
• Every Tuesday and Thursday (excluding Public Holidays)
• Departure: Tai Shui Hang at 09：00
• Return: Lai Chi Wo Pier at 15：40
3 | Sha Tau Kok Kaito Ferry + Hiking |
• Closed Area permit needed
• Take Kaito Ferry to Lai Chi Wo, then hike for about 30 minutes to Mui Tsz Lam and further for 15 minutes to Kop Tong
• Daily (No service on Tuesday (except Public Holidays))
• Departure: Sha Tau Kok Pier at 08：30、10：30、12：30、15：15
• Return: Lai Chi Wo Pier at 09：00、11：30、13：00、16：15
4 | Minibus + Hiking |
• Take green minibus No. 20R from Tai Po Market MTR Station to Wu Kau Tang, then hike for about 2 hours to Mui Tsz Lam and further for 15 minutes to Kop Tong
• Reference Route: Wu Kau Tang → A Ma Wat → Fan Shui Au → Mui Tsz Lam → Kop Tong
Project Outcome
In phase 1:
1. Successful conservation of around 20 hectares of habitat;
2. Production of around 220kg of crop yields;
3. Organisation of numerous large-scale educational and engagement activities with extensive media coverage.
Project Website & Social Media Platform
Project Video
This video introduces the key objectives of Forest Village: Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme.
This video documents the opening ceremony of Village Festival 2022. (Chinese version only)
