The Hong Kong government has introduced a string of measures to manage ecotourism hotspots in Sai Kung and Lantau Island, as a surge in visitors is expected during China’s upcoming Golden Week holiday.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said in a statement on Wednesday that it would deploy drones and additional staff to patrol several hotspots – including Sharp Island and High Island Reservoir’s East Dam in Sai Kung, as well as Shui Hau on Lantau – from Friday to Tuesday.

The announcement comes two days before Labour Day, a public holiday in Hong Kong and the start of a five-day Golden Week holiday in mainland China.

“In addition, the AFCD will conduct joint patrols with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) during the holiday to remind visitors not to litter, and the FEHD will also strengthen the cleaning of public areas on the island,” it said. “The AFCD will conduct joint sea patrols with the Marine Department and the Police to maintain order.”

The government has faced criticism over its management of ecological hotspots, especially after overtourism and visitors’ environmentally degrading behaviour during last year’s Golden Week holiday.

Jim Chu, assistant director at AFCD, said on RTHK on Wednesday that authorities expected 1,000 people to descend on Sharp Island daily during the Labour Day Golden Week – far higher than the average of 600 to 800 visitors during regular weekends and public holidays.

Sharp Island, Shui Hau

The coastal areas of Sharp Island and Shui Hau on Lantau Island are currently not designated as country parks, marine parks, or marine reserves, the AFCD said in the statement.

It also said it had installed footfall counters at the pier of Sharp Island and in Shui Hau to monitor visitor numbers and would set up booths and distribute leaflets to educate tourists about environmental protection and conservation.

“The AFCD is currently promoting environmental protection awareness among visitors through various publicity and educational efforts,” it said.

The AFCD will also cooperate with the WWF-Hong Kong to set up public education booths.

AFCD staff will “explain or advise” visitors if they display any potential behaviour that could cause ecological damage, such as damaging, disturbing, feeding, or collecting marine life, or entering the water near corals.

Greenpeace criticised the measures this week, saying they were advisory and lacked deterrence, describing them as “a toothless tiger.”

According to the NGO, the government is promoting 22 sites with high ecological value as tourist attractions, but they are not protected by Hong Kong’s environmental ordinances because they lie outside designated country parks and marine parks.

Sai Kung campsites

The AFCD also said it would step up monitoring of campsites at Ham Tin Wan, Sai Wan, and Long Ke Wan in Sai Kung East Country Park to reduce littering and maintain cleanliness.

“The AFCD will deploy additional staff day and night to patrol, be stationed, enforce regulations against violations, and use drones and CCTV systems to assist in monitoring the campsites,” it said.

Greenpeace said that Ham Tin Wan and Sai Wan campsites suffered from overcapacity and littering during the Lunar New Year holiday in February.

The government announced in March that it would introduce a campsite booking system by National Day.