Media

The Centre for Civil Society and Governance at the University of Hong Kong (HKU-CCSG) initiated sustainable rural revitalisation in Lai Chi Wo ten years ago, using the concepts of collaborative governance and rural cultural landscape to holistically restore the viability of the village and enhance the nearby environment. Having won the UNESCO Special Recognition for Sustainable Development in 2020, Lai Chi Wo has become a model for the revitalisation of remote villages in Hong Kong and the region. HKU-CCSG scales the impact and positions Lai Chi Wo as the core to create synergy with the neighbouring villages to form a revitalised village cluster.

The “Forest Village – Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme,” organised by HKU-CCSG and supported by the Countryside Conservation Office through its Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, has been promoting villagers and other stakeholders to conserve and revitalise the natural and cultural capitals of rural villages since 2021. After three years of foundational work, the Forest Village Campsite is officially opened today. Located on revitalised terraces, the campsite is the first of its kind in Hong Kong that integrates conservation, village revitalisation, and outdoor experiences. This year's Forest Village Festival starts on the same day, celebrating the theme "Uncovering the Wild Wonders." Through a series of local arts and outdoor activities, the public will get to know more about the revitalisation of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong and experience the day and night of the forest villages.

The ceremony was opened by Dr. Winnie Law, Deputy Director and Principal Lecturer of HKU-CCSG, and Mr. Charles Lee, Director of the Association for Sha Tau Kok Culture and Ecology. It was officiated by Miss Diane Wong Shuk Han, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology; and Professor Lam Kin-che, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Countryside Conservation's Vetting Sub-committee. The ceremony was closed by Mr. Tsang Yuk On, Village Representative of Mui Tsz Lam, and Mr. Fan Ching Yau, Village Representative of Kop Tong.

During the event, Dr. Winnie Law remarked: "Conservation efforts in rural areas require sustainable management strategies and practices that activate and repurpose both tangible and intangible assets in the countryside. It is also crucial to solicit collective effort among stakeholders in the village and in wider society to preserve rural communities. The Forest Village campsite is an innovative solution to support sustainable development in the village."

Miss Diane Wong Shuk Han thanked HKU-CCSG and the Association for Sha Tau Kok Culture and Ecology for their ongoing contributions to rural revitalisation. The project successfully revitalised the abandoned terraces in Mui Tsz Lam into a camping site, injecting diverse and innovative activities into the rural areas, allowing the public to explore the unique charm of the countryside both day and night, and opening up more possibilities in the rural areas.

Professor Lam Kin-che said: "The project has been carried out for nearly three years, and the revitalisation work has achieved remarkable results where the ecological environment has been improved, and diverse fauna and flora have been conserved; 20 hectares of Fung Shui forest have been successfully enhanced, and one hectare has been reclaimed through agroforestry. The once abandoned terraces now produce a variety of crops; the Story House was established, which was widely welcomed by the public, with more than 15,000 visitors; about 100 activities and workshops were held with more than 3,000 participants engaged; the project was also reported positively by many media platforms. Today, The University of Hong Kong has successfully revitalised 4,750 square meters of abandoned terrace into a sustainable camp site. In addition to increasing the attractiveness of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong, the project also serves as a model for other remote rural villages. "

Mr Tsang Yuk On thanked the government, universities, non-governmental organisations and other sectors for their cooperation and efforts with villagers in rural conservation in recent years, which has enabled remote villages such as Lai Chi Wo, Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong to be reborn and move towards a path of sustainable development. Let these hidden gems in the countryside gradually become places suitable for living and traveling, and be shared with the public.

From today to 7 January 2024, exciting activities lined up for the Forest Village Festival include natural indigo dyeing, tree-climbing, mushroom growing workshop, and sunrise camping. A special event of this year is a local environment musical, “Our Home in the Village”, prepared by “Fragrant Village”, a non-profit arts organisation. The musical will be performed by a group of local villagers, along with students from the nearby neighbourhood. It narrates the story of the Hakka people rebuilding their new home. Also, the two camping events will offer a lightweight journey option for the public to explore the forest villages while leaving no traces.

The “Forest Village” programme is funded by the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme under the Countryside Conservation Office, initiated by HKU-CCSG and co-organised by the Association for Sha Tau Kok Culture and Ecology. This programme aims to conserve, revitalise and enhance the natural, cultural and landscape values of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong through restoration of farmlands, enhancement of habitats, and adaptive repurposing of village assets. A collaborative and participatory approach is employed to support the sustainable development of the villages. To find out more information about the project, please visit: https://ccsg.hku.hk/forestvillage/

About the Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong
Established in December 2002, the Centre for Civil Society and Governance (the Centre) strives to enhance our knowledge of civil society and its contribution towards good governance, and to facilitate the attainment of a sustainable society through forging community-based, innovative solutions to inform policy deliberation and collective actions. The work of the Centre is organised around three Labs—the Policy for Sustainability Lab (PSL), the Social Entrepreneurship and Civic Action Lab (SECAL), and the Nonprofits and Philanthropy Lab (NPPL); each of them representing a research focus and an area of excellence of the Centre. To find out more information, please visit: https://ccsg.hku.hk/. 

Photos of the ceremony and the Forest Village – Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme can be downloaded from this link.
 
For media inquiries, please contact: 
Mr. Ryan Leung, Centre for Civil Society and Governance, The University of Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3917 4905/ (852) 6191 5497 
E-mail: yyan85@hku.hk