A group of hikers was slammed as a video went viral on social media showing them climbing a tree and shaking down red bayberries in a country park in the New Territories.
A one-minute video clip was posted on a Facebook group featuring hiking news on Thursday. It showed a group of around 30 hikers gathered under a tree in Pat Sin Leng Country Park.
Two people were captured on the video climbing up the tree and violently shaking and kicking the tree branches.
Fellow hikers stood under the tree and held umbrellas upside down to catch falling bayberries while others picked up berries from the ground.
Netizens slammed the hikers for their selfish behavior, saying they had damaged nature. They further wondered what food would be left behind for wild animals.
Ming Pao Daily reported that the group engaged in a hike on June 3 which set out from Bride’s Pool in Tai Po, passed through Pat Sin Leng Country Park and finished at Sha Tau Kok.
On Friday, a manager of the hiking group surnamed Lam posted a message to members on the group’s Facebook page saying he would take responsibility for the wrongdoing, and will do what is necessary to avoid the same thing happening in the future.
The Forest and Countryside Ordinance makes it illegal for unauthorized persons to cut grass, remove turf or earth, rake pine needles or pluck or damage buds, blossoms or leaves of any tree, shrub or plant. Any persons found guilty of the offense will be liable to a fine of up to HK$25,000 (US$ 3,186) and imprisonment for up to one year.
Enquiries sent to the hiking group and to the Agricultural and Fisheries Conservation Department have not yet been answered.
Buti nlng hindi mga pinoy kundi sasabihin n nman ng mga chinese na mga patay gutom tayo. Lessons learned for all hikers.
God given those fruits for us to eat.
Better to get and eat rather than fell down and rot.
God happy to see that people eat those fruits He give.
Thats not so called selfish.
Yes,,in our point of view but they have their law to be follow and we must abide that law and not put ourselves into trouble…
buti hindi PINAY ang umakyat kundi mention na naman yan agad agad pangalan sa NEWS????
What nationality are the hikers? Well I should guess its not FILIPINOS.. BECAUSE IF FILIPINOS IT WELL BE MENTIONED REPEATEDLY…????????????. .
Why not just let people eat it rather than to fell down and rot
Pls….mention their nationality
Ingat hikers lover esp.kabayan lesson learned buti hnd mga pinay kundi sabihin patay gutom.