By the late 1940s Hong Kong, due to the widespread cutting of fuel during the Second World War, was largely barren and without trees. But then, with the intention of bringing trees back to the territory, serious efforts were made by the government to green the countryside. However, the hills - and even some valleys - were dominated by badlands and erosion scars. Thisrough terrain, with its mainly granitic ground that is susceptible to the lossof topsoil nutrients, created acute challenges for reforestation, which only could be overcome with much hard work, dedicated effort and wise planning. Indeed, throughout Hong Kong the re-planting tasks were exceptionally strenuous.

During the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and up to the early 80s, the key planting objectives were to restore vegetation to the badlands and to cover the eroded scars with trees as soon as possible - to prevent further erosion and to assist in the development of better soils. Gradually the hard work of the forestry field staff, backed up by a carefully-thought tree planting programme devised by foresters from overseas, saw the development of new plantations and forestry areas. Hardy and fast growing pioneer species - such as Chinese Red Pine, Acacia and Brisbane Box - were widely planted during this period. The selection of the most suitable species for the badly eroded landscape was a key factor in laying the foundation of Hong Kong's subsequent greening success.

By the 1980s the landscape's visual appearance had changed, with green hillsides steadily replacing the brown badland erosion. Moreover, the forest cover had increased since the 1940s from three percent to nine percent of the total land area; and gradually, over subsequent years, the badlands almost disappeared entirely inside the Country Parks. Also the hillside environments became more favourable for trees, due to better soil conditions; and so an increasing number of less hardy native species trees could be introduced. Today some one hundred native species are being used for planting; and in the areas unsuitable for slow growth native species, a mixture of proven native and hardier exotic species are used.

The decades from the 1980s onwards also saw a less obvious but more significant transformation. By then the forests, assisted by active habitat enhancement measures, had started to increase in both their species complexity and richness. The forested areas expanded by forming largebiomes through both artificial and natural means, with a gradual and natural succession towards rich biodiversity; this in turn led to a greater diversity of wildlife.

Community support has played an important role in the greening of Hong Kong and the enthusiastic support from the public has helped ensure and accelerate the tree planting success. By the year 2000 the forest cover was about seventeen percent and almost all the suitable sites for community tree planting had been taken up. The involvement of the public in tree planting, and interest in nature appreciation in the newly established forests, could hardly have been imagined a few decades ago. Parallel with this, improved woodland habitats led to greater populations of wildlife - which in turn fuelled community interest in nature appreciation.

Almost everywhere worldwide the area of forest cover is decreasing; yet in Hong Kong, after decades of hard work, the forest cover actually has been - and still is - increasing. Not only is this a "numerical" gain in the area of forest; more important there has been a marked increase in therichness - in the species "quality" - of the forests and in their related biodiversity. New ideas such as eco-corridors, nesting boxes, forest thinning, habitat creation and rare plant propagation - all thoroughly tested in the 1990s - are now standard practice today.

Today in Hong Kong, as in many other parts of the world, the focus is on the interplay of habitats and biodiversity. Our current programme targets the enrichment of biodiversity and the promotion of sustainable use of the forests - rather than erosion control alone. To acquire the best information for the ongoing management our countryside and its forests, well-focused working groups monitor different species. These working groups are drawn from some 45 professional staff, with over 10 of them holding PhD degrees. Their duties also involve management for habitat enhancement, law enforcement, conservation education, firefighting and the control of new developments. They are assisted by a group of some 800 dedicated frontline field staff who implement the many forestry and other programmes that benefit Hong Kong.