Conservation authorities on Sunday revealed that they are considering whether to require visitors to make prior bookings and pay fees to access popular nature sites in Hong Kong amid an ongoing review on managing these areas.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it aims to consult lawmakers on such plans in the latter half of this year.

"The department is currently conducting a study on the long-term management strategy of popular destinations that it oversees. It will draw reference to experiences from this [Lunar New Year] Golden Week holiday, to consider various ways to improve the situation, including whether to introduce a reservation system and fees," it wrote on social media.

A green group earlier called for long-term measures to tackle overtourism in Sai Kung, claiming that the number of tents at some campsites far exceeded the designated capacity during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The department, which has deployed officers to inspect hiking trails and campsites in the district, said there were no serious problems with the order or hygiene in the area, and the overall situation was "not out of control".

Officials said the department recorded 26 law enforcement cases involving littering or illegal fires at several campsites and along two sections of the MacLehose Trail, as of 11am on Sunday.


Edited by Priscilla Ng