Hikers draw line in sand before country park vote

More than 100 hikers and supporters, including former Hong Kong Observatory director Lam Chiu-ying, walked through Tai Long Sai Wan in Sai Kung in a symbolic gesture to protect the scenic area.迷你倉 The hike yesterday was inaugurated on Facebook, and came three days before lawmakers are due to vote on Heung Yee Kuk lawmaker Lau Wong-fat's motion amendment to remove a government proposal to include the area in the country park. The hikers gathered at Sai Wan Temple and walked to Tai Long Sai Wan where they formed into a heart shape with the words ``I love Tai Long Sai Wan'' scratched in the sand. ``We are here not to cause controversy, but to hike happily. If we meet the villagers, we will just say hi,'' Lam said. But Sai Wan village head Lai Yan said they will stand firm against the government plan. About 10 villagers will from today camp outside the Legislative Council until the vote on Wednesday. Should they fail to win over the legislators, they may file for a judicial review, Lai said. The district council and the Kuk are opposed to the motion. ``If the government does not hear their voices and the amendment is passed,文件倉we will seek a resolution from the court,'' Lai said. Pan-democrats said they will vote against Lau's amendment while the pro- government groups said they will support it. Democratic Party lawmaker Wu Chi- wai expects all 27 pan-democrats to vote against the amendment, while the Federation of Trade Unions lawmaker Wong Kwok-hing believes that all its six lawmakers will not support Lau. Lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-way confirmed all six lawmakers of Civic Party will vote against. But all 12 DAB lawmakers said they will support Lau even though his amendment goes against the government plan. Lawmaker Tam Yiu-chung said the government should strike a balance between conservation and protecting private property. Legislative Council chairman Jasper Tsang Yok-sing approved Lau's amendment on Wednesday. Tsang said it was within the rules, as it was a bi-legislation and lawmakers have the power to make amendments, or to abolish it. In the 2010-11 policy address, the government pledged to either include the enclaves in parks, or determine their proper uses to meet conservation and social development needs. beatrice.siu@singtaonewscorp.com 存倉