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Introduction of Fung Yuen

Fung Yuen is located about 2 kilometers from Tai Po town centre, it is a renowned area for butterflies watching in Hong Kong and Asia.
In 1980, 42 hectares of land in Fung Yuen was listed as a “Site of Special Scientific Interest”, with high conservation value.
Under the New Nature Conservation Policy in 2004, Fung Yuen was assessed a priority conservation site.
Over 200 species of butterflies was recorded in Fung Yuen, which accounts for about 90% of butterfly species in Hong Kong.
Aristolochia acuminata and Illigera celebica are host plants for the larvae of Common Birdwing (Troides helena) and White Dragontail (Lamproptera curius). Both plants can be found in Fung Yuen and are protected by the Forests and Countryside Ordinance.
Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve was established by Environmental Association Limited (registered charity) in 2005.
In November 2005, Environmental Association Limited was supported by the Environment and Conservation Fund to initiate a
Management Agreements Scheme at the sites of special scientific value in Fung Yuen. Until 2021, Management
Agreements Scheme is now supported by the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme.

Fung Yuen has high ecological value of three major reasons:

1. Topography (geographic factors)

Fung Yuen Valley has its back facing the Cloudy Hill and all the streams feed directly to the valley itself. This provides the best environment for the natural habitats to flourish and adequate water supply for agricultural works. This has also contributed to the rich biodiversity on the land.

2. Fung Shui woods plant diversity (biological factors)

Fung Shui woodland is a typical aspect of a walled-village in Hong Kong. When villagers first started building their homes, they will always leave a large area of woodland behind the village, in the belief that it will make the place prosperous. Subsequently, villagers take an effort to protect the woodland and discourage visitors to enter. Minimized human activity in the woodland allows it to flourish peacefully, and a variety of plants and animals can be found.

3. Orchards and farming activities (humanity factors)

In the olden days, Fung Yuen Village is an agricultural site. Villagers had grown a variety of agricultural products including lychee, chinese cabbage, ginger lily, and banana. These products are also food for caterpillars and has historically benefited the rich variety of butterfly species in the area.