CONSERVATION AND USE OF THE MAI PO MARSHES, HONG-KONG

The Mai Po marshes in Hong Kong are a remnant of a wetland system that has changed substantially in area and natural character as a result o f human activity; most of this activity has occurred in the last three decades. Prior to the 1920s much of the Mai Po area consisted of exte nsive mangroves, marshes, tidal flats, and wetlands that had not been directly affected by agriculture or other human activity. Between the 1920s and the 1960s much of the area was converted to gei wais - areas of intertidal marshland enclosed by an earthen dike fitted with a slu ice gate to allow for alternating entry and drainage of tidal waters a nd the exploitation of shrimp and other fish. The gei wais included un even patches and fringes of wetland favorable to varied bird and other life, including important migratory species. Since the 1960s the gei wais have steadily been converted to sites for rice production, new ho using, aquaculture, and other uses associated with the rapid growth of Hong Kong. The World Wild Fund for Nature, Hong Kong, is leading the attempt to conserve the gei wais and their important ecological functi ons through purchase and continued operation of gei wais, environmenta l eduction activities, and other programs. The Mai Po area and may of the gei wais are designated as a conservation reserve (''site of speci al scientific interest''), but the pressures on the wetlands continue, especially with accelerating industrialization and urbanization in ad joining mainland China. Such modernization pressures are underway in m any parts of Asia and require more vigorous and comprehensive conserva tion and sustainable development efforts. In the case of the Mai Po fo r example, the creation of a biosphere reserve would likely be benefic ial, especially if it were more strongly supported by the Hong Kong an d Chinese governments.