Hong Kong is gearing up for the Lunar New Year holiday by tightening crowd control and environmental protection at popular nature spots. Officials expect 1.43 million tourists from mainland China during the nine-day holiday starting February 15. Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Rosanna Law Shuk-pui said the government wants a smooth, orderly experience at ecotourism sites. "Ecotourism is about getting close to nature, but it should be in a comfortable and orderly environment," she said. "If certain sites become too crowded, we may need to introduce crowd control measures so people queue properly, because some of these places are very small." Authorities will closely monitor high-traffic areas such as Sai Kung, including beaches, campsites, and hiking trails, where past visits caused damage. Police will manage traffic and pedestrian flow at key points like Pak Tam Chung and Sai Kung Man Yee Road. Temporary crowd controls may be used at the High Island Geo Trail to prevent overcrowding. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will increase patrols and station staff at campsites and beaches. At Ham Tin Wan, extra cleaning, waste collection, toilet attendants, and public education will be implemented. Network cameras will monitor cleanliness near public toilets. Transport services like minibuses to remote spots will increase based on demand. Past holiday surges brought rubbish and coral damage. Law noted some visitors do not know local rules well. Authorities will boost education and onsite guidance to promote responsible behaviour. An interdepartmental command center will oversee border control and attractions, with extra transport to spread out visitors. Officials stress that rural nature spots now demand more attention alongside urban events. Visitors are advised to plan ahead and respect local laws. Hotels report 70-80% bookings, rising beyond 90% after confirming fireworks on the second holiday day. These measures aim to balance a tourism rebound with preserving Hong Kong’s natural beauty.