TempAdmin
16th February 2009, 01:53 PM
Lantau Water Buffalo
Water buffalo were once a very important part of village life on Lantau. These immensely strong animals were the ‘tractors’ which ploughed the alluvial coastal plains for wet-land rice cultivation.
Their droppings (dung) were the most important fertilizer for gardens. Up to the 1970s, buffalo were still being used at Pui O to plough the fields. But rice cultivation soon ceased and the hard-working buffaloes have been left to fend for themselves on the remaining wetland plains.
Their descendants are still with us today although now reduced through culling to some 60 animals only, an enchanting and poignant reminder of our agricultural heritage and the essential part played by these, our valued partners.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zprOfsNW78
Water buffalo were once a very important part of village life on Lantau. These immensely strong animals were the ‘tractors’ which ploughed the alluvial coastal plains for wet-land rice cultivation.
Their droppings (dung) were the most important fertilizer for gardens. Up to the 1970s, buffalo were still being used at Pui O to plough the fields. But rice cultivation soon ceased and the hard-working buffaloes have been left to fend for themselves on the remaining wetland plains.
Their descendants are still with us today although now reduced through culling to some 60 animals only, an enchanting and poignant reminder of our agricultural heritage and the essential part played by these, our valued partners.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zprOfsNW78