Social media saw an outpouring of affection for Hong Kong’s country parks Sunday as the city celebrated its first Country Parks Appreciation Day and shared photos with the hashtag #SaveOurCountryParks.

Over 30 environmental groups came together to form the “Save Our Country Parks” alliance, including Designing Hong Kong, Green Sense and WWF. The groups called upon citizens to visit, and celebrate, Hong Kong’s 18 country parks on December 13.

Another beautiful Sunday in a Hong Kong Country Park. Some people think we should develop some of the designated park…

Posted by Angela Spaxman on Sunday, 13 December 2015

#saveourcountryparks leave our country parks alone CY and HYK!!!!

Posted by Kaz O’Carroll on Saturday, 12 December 2015

Their call came after Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said in November that parts of country parks should be built upon to provide housing for young people. The relationship between country parks and land for housing was like that of a “fish and bear’s paw”, he said, and one cannot have it all.

In response, Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po stated once again that he will not consider developing the land in country parks during his term in office.

The “Save Our Country Parks” alliance organises activities “to raise public awareness about the importance of maintaining a balance between development and environmental conservation.” They also support proposals which recognise the value of the country parks and promote sustainable development.

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Medhavi Arora is in her final year at the University of Hong Kong studying Journalism and International Relations. Her print, video and multimedia pieces have been featured in the Times of India and CNN-IBN. She is a former intern at UN Women and has additional experience in sustainability, international affairs and communications.