The number of bird species at Lok Ma Chau Wetland has increased by 25% compared to 2017

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The MTR Corporation has stepped up efforts to promote ecological conservation by increasing public participation at its Lok Ma Chau Wetland.

The railway operator has been managing the 32-hectare wetland site—comprising ponds, swamps and artificial islands—since 2007. Over the years, the area has developed into an important habitat for wildlife, with mammals, reptiles and more than 280 bird species recorded so far. These include vulnerable and endangered species such as the black-faced spoonbill and the Eurasian otter.

The number of bird species observed at the wetland has risen by about 25 percent compared with figures recorded when management began in 2007.

As part of its conservation work, the MTR is collaborating with the Centre for Civil Society and Governance (CCSG) at the University of Hong Kong. Under the partnership, more than 50 secondary school students from five schools have taken part in planting and monitoring vegetation, which is later transferred to the wetland.

MTR’s Chief of Operations Engineering Service and Innovation, Chan Hing-keung, said the company is also offering limited access to the wetland to encourage greater public involvement in conservation.

He said the MTR has been in regular communication with various stakeholders while managing the site and found strong interest from different groups in learning more about the wetland’s operations and condition. Guided visits have therefore been arranged to help the public better understand how the MTR promotes sustainable development and manages the wetland.

Chan added that the company and HKU will develop a long-term plan after analysing data collected during a one-year pilot programme, which is scheduled to conclude later this year.

Beyond public engagement, the MTR and HKU have been adopting nature-based solutions to manage the wetland through an innovative approach introduced in 2023.

CCSG Director Lam Wai-fung said the partnership aims to explore ways to use the wetland’s resources to generate broader social and economic benefits. He said the goal is to develop Lok Ma Chau Wetland into a multi-value base through ecological conservation, supporting activities such as agriculture, research, education and knowledge-based leisure.

Lam explained that measures include installing floating islands to help maintain water quality, providing more diverse habitats for wildlife and expanding planting areas across the site. During bird migration seasons, water levels in some ponds will also be lowered, and around one tonne of live fish will be added to make it easier for birds to find food.