Allowing some city people to tour less-developed parts of scenic Lantau Island in their cars seems like a good idea. The quota of cars allowed on the island at weekends and on public holidays was quickly snapped up by eager motorists.

It is easy to understand the popularity of the driving initiative. Anyone who has been on the island during weekends or holidays will have concerns about the woefully inadequate public bus service. Hiking on Lantau's hilly terrain is a tough physical challenge - suitable only for the young and fit.

But allowing unlimited access by car to Lantau would cause horrendous traffic jams on the island's narrow roads. It could also cause great inconvenience to the local residents and, more importantly, upset the ecosystem that makes the island so unique in heavily urbanized Hong Kong.

Unsurprisingly, environmental activists are against even limited access. They have expressed concern that limited access by cars will start a chain of events that could lead to the full-scale urbanization of the island, citing as an example the rapid development of the rural expanse of the New Territories into densely populated satellite towns.

The government has reiterated that the future development of Lantau will be limited only to the northern part of the island while the southern side will be preserved. In some developed countries, large public parklands, like Yellow Stone Park in the US, are open to motorists. It is accepted that convenience for visitors keen on appreciating the natural beauty of parks outweighs the environmental cost.

The public will have to make that judgment regarding Lantau. They have to question the value of a country park which is inaccessible to more than half the population who are either unable or unwilling to make the strenuous trek.

Putting a strict quota on the number of vehicles allowed on Lantau is a good starting point. This will allow the authorities and environmentalists to access the impact on the environment and the daily lives of people living on the island.

The purpose of the review is not to decide whether to continue the program. Rather, it is to ascertain what steps need to be taken to allow more cars on the island.

(HK Edition 02/19/2016 page8)