Concern groups have called for a more concrete timeline and clearer details in an updated action plan for Hong Kong’s biodiversity strategy, which for the first time lists assessing the capacity of ecotourism hotspots as a priority.

The government on Wednesday unveiled its updated Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which covers four strategic areas – nature conservation, deepening mainstreaming, capacity building and collaborative partnering. It lists 30 priority actions and 81 priority projects.

The plan, setting out strategies for the next 10 years until 2035, updates an initial version released in 2016.

“We must act on the concept that ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and focus on building a beautiful China’,” a spokesman for the Environment and Ecology Bureau said, referring to a notion first raised by President Xi Jinping.

Among the actions is promoting sustainable ecotourism, with assessments of the carrying capacity of ecotourism hotspots made a priority project.

The plan said ecotourism provided local communities with alternative income streams while encouraging them to engage in conservation efforts.