Eight private groups respond enthusiastically to the Taroko National Park trail adoption scheme. Contract-signing ceremony held on June 26
Walking on the trails is one of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Taroko National Park. To allow the public to participate in park trail management and maintenance, the park HQ has opened up trails for adoption by public groups. Eight private groups and companies have adopted ten low, medium and high altitude trails. A trail adoption ceremony was held in the park HQ on June 26, 2008.
In his speech, Park Director Lin Yong-fa thanked the groups/units that have adopted the trails for their enthusiastic response and also stated that private participation is an important national park management method. Through private involvement, government human resources and expenditure can be reduced and also, more importantly, private participation transforms people’s love for nature into real action and gives the public a sense of mission and responsibility with regards to the natural environment.
The adopting units/groups and the trails they have adopted are as follows: Hualien Alpine Association has adopted Dali Datung trail, Hualien 2nd Cooperative Bank has adopted Changchun Shrine trail, Hualien Lion Hiking ＆ Climbing Club has adopted Jhuilu Trail, Taipei branch, Mobile Business Group, Chunghwa Telecom has adopted Shakadang trail, Hualien Young Women's Christian Association has adopted Lyushui trail, Taiwan Mountain Rescue Association has adopted the Mt. Hehuan main and north peak and Mt. Shimen trails, Taipei County Shulin Alpine Association has adopted Mt. Nanhu trail and the Republic of China Alpine Association has adopted Mt Yangtou trail. The adoption period is two years, starting from July 1 this year to June 30 2010. China Youth Corps Tiansiang Youth Activity Center adopted Baiyang and Huoran Pavilion trails last year and the adoption period will also last until the end of June, 2010. Nine groups or units have adopted trails to date and the number of trails adopted has reached 12.
Taroko National Park HQ’s trail adoption program has been in operation for a number of years and mountain climbing clubs, banks, hotels and youth centers have successively adopted park trails, spending money and effort assisting with facility maintenance, cleaning and conservation patrol work, with excellent results.
After the ceremony, the park HQ held an experience-sharing seminar, allowing various adopting groups/units to meet each other and exchange their experiences of trail adoption, the whole event finishing at noon. Taroko National Park Tourism and Recreation Section said that the park still has a number of trails, including Mt Cilai trail, that interested groups can adopt. Interested groups can contact the Section for further information on 03-8621100 ext. 601.
Translated by: Kevin Lax
Source: Taroko National Park Headquarters