Hong Kong green experts concerned about flood risk, impact on bird life if ponds are filled in for new I&T hub

A government plan to fill in fish ponds to build a new innovation and technology (I&T) hub near Hong Kong’s border with Shenzhen will increase the risk of flooding in both cities during extreme weather events, conservationists have warned.

They also highlighted the ecological importance of wetlands in the area and the impact of the proposed development on bird life, while the Development Bureau said it had to “reasonably” use some ponds to improve land planning and pledged to minimise the impact on the animals.