Nature Reserves
Following the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act of 1982, the Council of
Agriculture (COA) has overseen the establishment of 19 nature reserves in
Taiwan. They range from a 5-hectare plot to protect volcanic land forms in
Kaohsiung to the 47000-hectare forest reserve surrounding Mt Tawu.
Altogether, about 65000 hectares fall within nature reserves. Twelve nature
reserves are managed directly by the Taiwan Forestry Bureau of the Taiwan
Provincial Government. The other nature reserves are managed by such
agencies as the Taipei City Government’s Bureau of Reconstruction, the
Penghu County Government, and the Taiwan Forestry Research Institute.
Each managing body is responsible to the COA, which ensures that reserve
management follows the law.^74
National Parks
Taiwan has a comprehensive national park system that balances conservation,
recreation, and research goals. The system was inaugurated in 1984 after the
passing of the National Park Law, with the establishment of Kenting National
Park at the southern tip of Taiwan Island. In 1985 and 1986, Yushan (Jade
Mountain), Yangmingshan, and Taroko National Parks were created, in
central, northern, and eastern Taiwan respectively. In 1992, Shei-pa National
Park was established in north-central Taiwan, and in October 1995, the sixth
and most recent national park, Kinmen National Park (occupying 26 percent
of the Kinmen Islands) was opened to the public.^75 National parks cover
294466 hectares, about 8 percent of the total area of Taiwan. In the concluding
case study for this section, we discuss plans to add another park to the national
system – the Magao Chinese Cypress National Park in northern Taiwan’s
Chilan Mountain.
National Forest Reserves
Forestlands recognized as possessing unique natural characteristics are
classified as forest reserves in Taiwan. These reserves follow multiple-use
policies, but preservation is emphasized over development. The COA’s
Forestry Bureau manages national forests; and since 1965, it has also
developed forest recreation areas. In 2005, Taiwan has 16 forest recreation
areas based on the Forest Law.^76 The total area of forest reserves is about
22000 hectares or 0.6 percent of the total area of Taiwan.^77
Coastal Areas
Taiwan’s coastline extends 1566 kilometers, and coastal areas are also
Protected areas and biodiversity conservation 123