About the GLA

The Green Lantau Association was formed in 1989, inspired by opposition to China Light and Power's proposal to build a power plant on Fan Lau, the beautiful and historic area at the extreme southwest tip of Lantau. Fan Lau is still untouched, and the GLA is still fighting to save as much of the rest of the island as it can.

Since its foundation, the organization has maintained a regular schedule of hikes, which are open to the public. These give people the chance to appreciate Lantau's natural scenery and learn more about the environmental situation. It also gives members a chance to keep an eye on developments such as illegal dumping, treefelling, and breaches of regulations.

Other Activities

Other GLA activities include a yearly tree-planting hike. Twice a year, at the Ching Ming and Chung Yeung festivals, GLA organizes teams of volunteers to help prevent grave-worshippers from starting hillfires.

GLA's most important role, however, is monitoring developments, both big and small, that affect Lantau's environment. Many of the problems that arise emanate from government or large corporate projects. Over the years the organization has built up a voluminous correspondence with many government departments and private companies, as well as a reputation for thorough, level-headed analysis.

Some of the group's accomplishments are:

• Protection and restoration of an illegal dumpsite in the heart of the Wong Lung Hang valley,

• Spurring the Environmental Protection Department to prosecute the Po Lin Monastery for illegal sewage discharges into water catchment areas,

• Protection of ecologically valuable fish ponds in Mui Wo from in-filling,

• Closure of numerous illegal dumpsites along the South Lantau Road,

• Provision of warning signs and fire beaters at gravesites,

• Submission of a complaint to the Ombudsman about breaches of EIAs and regulations in many airport core projects. The Ombudsman upheld part of the complaint,

• Publication of A Conservation Strategy for Lantau in July, 1998 with five other green groups,

• Submission of a complaint to the Director of Audit and the Ombudsman about environmental problems and inappropriate use of government funds in the Rural Improvement Strategy Works,

• Submission of comments on the Environmental Impact Assessments for various major infrastructure projects including the Disney themepark and the widening of Tung Chung Road,

• Presentations to the Town Planning Board on various landuse plans including Tung Chung new town and Discovery Bay.

All of the GLA's work is undertaken by volunteers.