Chihpen Wetland Dries Up; Civic Groups Urge Central and Local Governments to Rectify the Situation

(CNA, reporter Lin Ching-yin, Taipei, July 1st) Several ecological conservation groups held a press conference today stating that Chihpen Wetland, recognized by BirdLife International as an "Important Bird Area" (IBA), has become dry because the Taitung County Government violated the original plan and cut off the water supply flowing into the wetland. They are calling on the central and Taitung County governments to rectify the situation and prevent the county government from becoming an ecological killer.

Several groups, including the Wilderness Conservation Association, the Ornithological Society of Taiwan, and the Taitung County Ornithological Society, held a press conference at the Legislative Yuan today titled "Let the Water Flow In, Save Chihpen Wetland, Make the Taitung Expo More Beautiful."

Chen Hsien-cheng, Vice Chairman of the Wilderness Conservation Association, stated that the Taitung County Government will hold the Taitung Expo on July 3rd, with the core themes of "Slow Economy, Taitung Blue, Sustainable Cities and Villages, and Austronesian Culture." However, Taitung County's Chihpen Wetland is currently facing a severe drought crisis. He urged the central competent authorities and the Taitung County Government to work with local indigenous communities and all ecological partners in a public-private collaboration to devise measures to restore the water flow to Chihpen Wetland.

Su Ya-ting, head of the environmental issues group of the Taitung branch of the Wilderness Conservation Association, said that Chihpen Wetland has become a dry land because the Taitung County Government undertook the Shemakang Drainage Extension Project. The Taitung County Government violated the original plan that balanced flood control and ecology by constructing a 3-meter-high earth wall next to the wetland, cutting off the tailwater from the Shemakang Stream and Chihpen Canal. The water that should have flowed into the wetland is now being discharged entirely into the sea. She hopes the central government will intervene to quickly save this wetland.

Lu Yi-wei, Secretary-General of the Ornithological Society of Taiwan, said that Chihpen Wetland was recognized as an "Important Bird Area" (IBA) by BirdLife International over 20 years ago. In the past few years, Chihpen Wetland has undergone numerous development projects, including various BOT projects and the Shemakang Drainage Project, bearing the pressure of habitat destruction.

Lu Yi-wei stated that Chihpen Wetland, including its surrounding shrubland, grasslands, coast, and estuary, is a complete landscape that nurtures extremely high biodiversity. Once this lagoon dries up and the habitat disappears, migratory birds will lose their resting and feeding grounds. He sincerely hopes that the government and the public can collaborate to prevent flood control projects from becoming ecological killers.

Su Chun-jung, head of the Taitung branch of the Wilderness Conservation Association, pointed out that Chihpen Wetland is an important conservation corridor in Taitung's national ecological network. He hopes the central government, based on its expertise and responsibilities, will unite with the Taitung County Government, the local Kadadabu tribe, and ecological groups in a public-private collaboration to devise concrete water diversion and restoration measures to maintain the biodiversity of Chihpen Wetland. (Editor: Su Lung-chi) 1150701

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