MEDIV and SKDIV have been very concerned about Buddhist Pine falling prey to poachers from the Mainland. Widely taken in China as a token of fortune that will drive poverty away from home, the plant was in great demand in 2003 as a result of economic growth, aggravating the theft problem in Hong Kong. This year, illegal tree felling has extended to stealing of incense tree, which, unlike Buddhist Pine in coastal areas, covers a wide span of both rural and semi-rural areas.

The publicity campaign in the country park was just one of the measures taken by MEDIV and SKDIV to enlist public support in reporting illegal felling and stealing of Buddhist Pine and incense trees. A similar appeal has been made on the "Police Magazine".

The campaign mainly featured distribution of copies of an anti-crime leaflet, showing film footage of the appeal on "Police Magazine" and an exhibition of different species of Buddhist Pine and incense tree. The anti-crime measure seems to have paid off following the recent arrest of five illegal immigrants by SKDIV suspected to be involved in the illegal felling of incense trees in the Sai Kung West Country Park.

Enlisting the help of country park users