A view of the Robin's Nest, in Sha Tau Kok, New Territories, Hong Kong, Feb 22, 2013. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – A new country park in Hong Kong’s Sha Tau Kok is one step closer to welcoming visitors with the government gazetting a designation order to the Robin's Nest Country Park (RNCP) on Friday.

Located in the northeastern New Territories, the country park sprawling over 530 hectares of woodland, shrubland, and upland grassland where many animal species of high conservation value are often spotted.

RNCP is expected to commence on March 1 next year, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said in a statement.

A historical mine site in the RNCP will be revitalized as an open museum to showcase the mining history and bat ecology

The designation of RNCP will allow the government to carry out management measures in the area, the spokesman said.

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“Regulated under the Country Parks and Special Areas Regulations, the RNCP's biodiversity, natural environment, scenic landscape and cultural heritage resources will be better conserved.”

The park, which sits next to the boundary between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, will also contribute to the creation of a cross-boundary ecological corridor and promote ecological integration between the two places, added the spokesman.

A draft map of the Robin's Nest Country Park. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

Meanwhile, a historical mine site in the RNCP will be revitalized as an open museum to showcase the mining history and bat ecology. Recreational facilities such as a hiking trail network, picnic sites and viewing points will be also provided in the park.    

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According to the statement, the designation order in respect of the approved map of the site will be tabled at the Legislative Council next Wednesday for negative vetting.