2023-07-21 02:56:41
Ma’anshan’s famous tree “Mao Ping Teng Wang” was cut off and its meridians were cut off, struggling to survive and giving birth to water branches
[Yahoo News Report]Ma On Shan Country Park landmark “Mao Ping Vine King” was maliciously vandalized last month. More than 10 branches were sawed off and “the meridians were completely broken.” Green Cherish Earth accuses the suspect of “sawing off branches as soon as they have branches”, cutting off the branches that absorb nutrients, and the chance of survival is slim. Currently, it is only relying on the nutrient reserves in the body to survive, and watery branches have also begun to appear on the tree. She suggested that the government strengthen the protection of other precious trees, including monitoring forests with new technologies such as monitoring equipment, and also persuaded the public to cherish nature.
Text reporter: Lu Peiyao
Mao Ping is located at the back of Mei Tsz Lam, Ma On Shan, and is the intersection of several mountain trails, including the fourth section of MacLehose Trail leading to Shui Long Wo and Fei Ngo Mountain, and the Beigang Ancient Trail leading to Sai Kung Beigang. There is a big tree in the area because of its thick and twisted stem, which has become a hotspot for hikers to “check in” and is known as the “King of Maoping Rattan”. “Vine King” is a vine plant, over half a century old, listed in the list of “Rare and Precious Plants in Hong Kong”. Zheng Ruhui, Community Collaboration Director of Green Earth, pointed out that the main stem of “Vine King” has a diameter of 66 cm, and its branches will pass through the trees next to it and stretch endlessly, so it is also called “Crossing the River Dragon”.
Ma On Shan Country Park hiking landmark “Mao Ping Teng Wang” was suspected of vandalism last month, more than 10 branches were sawed off. Part of the damage was on the village school building, and the suspect may have climbed the “Vine King” or the top of the building before he might kill him. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
The branches of “Vine King” are endless and will continue to grow through other trees nearby, so it is also called “Crossing the River Dragon”. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
The vine involved in the incident has become a hotspot for hiking because of its thick and twisted tree diameter, and it is even called the “King of Maoping Vine”. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
Maoping is located in the mountain depression behind Meizilin in Ma’anshan, and it is the intersection of many mountain trails.
“Mao Ping Vine King” was suspected of being vandalized last month, and more than 10 branches were sawed off. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
“Vine King” is half a century old, and next to it is the toilet of a village school, which is currently deserted. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
Suspected of being poisoned in the early morning, the motive is unknown
The “Dragon Crossing the River” in the past is still alive today. On the 14th of last month, some hikers found that many branches of “Maoping Vine King” had been sawed off.The clip is widely circulated online. Zheng Ruhui pointed out that there are as many as 10 incisions in the tree, and even some branches are cut off even if they are as thick as seven or eight inches. According to the photos provided by Green Earth, the incisions of “Vine King” are complete, and one of them is regarding 20 centimeters thicker in diameter.
After the incident, Green Earth has been paying close attention to the incident, and appealed to the public to report the incident and “find the culprit”. Zheng pointed out that the only thing known so far is that the “Vine King” was still intact in the last weekend when the clip was circulated. It is estimated that the person involved in the incident murdered him in the early morning of weekdays.
There are damaged branches regarding 20 cm in diameter. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
The incision on the branch of “Vine King” is flat and not broken naturally. It is suspected that someone saw it off with a chainsaw. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
Zheng pointed out that in the past, malicious tree cutting cases in Hong Kong were mostly related to land development or precious timber. However, “Vine King” is located in a country park, and it takes 3 hours to walk to get there, so the development potential is not high. The seed of “Teng Wang”, tengzi, is a common medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine. It has the effect of reducing sores and treating rheumatism and low back pain. “If you harvest the seeds, you will harvest the seeds directly, and you will not be able to harvest them following sawing the canal to death.”
“Cut off their hands and feet, their nourishing organs”
Zheng said frankly that the chances of survival of the “Vine King” are slim. Due to the advanced age and the destruction of all the nutrient-absorbing branches, the undamaged young branches have been broken naturally due to lack of nutrition. At present, “Vine King” only relies on the existing nutrient reserves in its body to maintain its life, and thin water branches have begun to appear on the tree. “When a plant is damaged and feels a crisis, it will grow some new branches, hoping to absorb more sunlight.” Zheng pointed out that citizens passing by can visit the old vine to cheer it up, but they should not climb it. “It is getting weaker and weaker. It is not easy to step on the soil on the side. If there are some buds, it is not easy to touch it.”
Part of the damage was on the village school building, and the suspect may have climbed the “Vine King” or the top of the building before he might kill him. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
Zheng Ruhui, Community Collaboration Director of Green Earth, pointed out that none of the “Vine King” branches were spared from being destroyed, and the nutrient-absorbing branches were cut off, and the chance of regeneration was slim. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
In response to Yahoo News’ inquiry, the Fisheries and Conservation Department stated that the investigation is still ongoing and will continue to strengthen patrols at the relevant locations. If any further illegal felling of trees is found, law enforcement actions will be taken. The department also stated that it will closely monitor the growth of “Vine King”, and will follow up appropriately when necessary. It will also protect the forests and natural environment of country parks through patrolling, law enforcement and publicity and education.
Ring Group calls for listening devices to protect forests
After the incident, the Fisheries and Conservation Department added two notice boards next to the “Vine King” to warn the public not to damage the trees. Zheng Ruhui believes that the government needs to speed up the progress of the investigation. “It is not easy to add two warning signs to complete the task. Such a representative plant is sawn off by people like this. It seems that this thing is done at will and there is no need to be responsible at all. The message given to people is too wrong.”
After the incident, the Fisheries and Conservation Department added two notice boards (bottom) next to the “Vine King” to appeal to the public not to cut down trees. (Photo provided by Green Earth)
At present, there is only one vine similar to the “Vine King” left in Hong Kong, which is located in the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve. (Picture on the webpage of “Mountain Joy and Freedom”)
At present, another famous vine in Hong Kong is located in the Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, so it is safer than the “Mao Ping Vine King”. However, Zheng pointed out that the authorities should strengthen the protection of other precious trees, including adding fences. “The “Vine King” is a very representative landmark plant, but its protection and management have not been much.” In terms of management, she suggested that the government cooperate with new technology to regulate. For example, the Amazon lowland forest in the southern Andes of Peru uses monitoring equipment powered by solar panels to transmit the real-time sound of the rainforest to the ranger’s mobile phone.
When citizens prayed for the rebirth of the “Vine King”, Zheng urged Hong Kong people to cherish plants, “Especially in such a small place in Hong Kong, with such beautiful trees, Hong Kong people should be very proud of such things.” She has repeatedly found people picking plants while hiking in the mountains recently, hoping that the authorities will strengthen patrols and law enforcement, and use education to instill the concept of protecting nature in the public.
In the past, the endangered species of Agarwood were repeatedly felled illegally by the tree-cutting party. The Fisheries and Conservation Department implemented the 5-year “Agarwood Species Action Plan” in 2018 to protect the population of Agarwood in Hong Kong, including regular patrols to country parks and specific locations, monitoring with GPS, installation of 50 “infrared sensor automatic monitors” to take pictures of nearby people’s faces, and setting up more than 190 protective fences. Four years following the plan was implemented, 160 Agarwood trees were still felled, but only 2 people were arrested, and no one was convicted in the end.
According to the “Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations”, any person who cuts, picks or uproots any plant or part thereof in a country park or special area without permission commits an offense and is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and imprisonment for 3 months. The Forestry and Suburbs Ordinance also states that it is an offense for any person to fell, cut, burn or otherwise destroy trees or growing plants in a forest area or plantation area without legal authority or excuse. The AFCD appeals to members of the public to call 1823 to report suspected illegal tree felling activities.
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