Hong Kong's pink dolphin population is under threat from chemical pollution, increased boat traffic and the destruction of much of the natural shoreline to make way for land reclaniation schemes. The huge nature reserve and bird haven of Mai Po Marsh is under threat from pig sewage flooding into Deep Bay, and now the increased pollution from Shenzhen raises the stakes against it survival. The bird sanctuaries in the wetlands around Mai Po of Tin Shui Wai, Kwn Tin and Kwu Yung are under threat from goverment plans to build huge residential housing estates in the New Territories to satisfy the increasing demand for flats. Many of the birds have fled to Hong Kong to escape the rnanic industrial development in southern China. The oyster farms at Lau Fan Shan have been throttled by a mixture of pollution and competition from cheaper oyster cultivation across the border in China.
Air pollution is another serious problem.
Smoke-belching factories, ceaseless construction and large numbers of diesel vehicles have made for dangerous levels of particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. Cases of asthma and bronchial infections have soared in recent years, and doctors place the blame squarely on poor air quality. Travellers with respiratory conditions should take this into consideration. See the Health Page for more details. The government has also set up a monitoring system for swimming beaches, to cheek on the amount of disease causing bacteria in the water.