Chiayi Branch of Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency Partners with Mingta Tech to Enhance Birdwatching Environment at Budai Wetlands

By Huang Kuo-Chang, Central News Agency, Chiayi City, August 12

The Chiayi Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency signed a cooperation agreement today with Mingta Technology Company, collaborating with the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society and local community groups to actively engage in the conservation of the Budai Salt Flat Wetlands in Chiayi County, enhancing wetland biodiversity and optimizing birdwatching environments.

According to a press release from the Chiayi Branch, the Budai Salt Flat Wetlands are internationally recognized habitats for migratory birds and a key focus area within the coastal wetland conservation corridor of the national ecological green network in southern Taiwan. Since 2019, the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society has adopted the Budai Salt Flats from the Ministry of Finance's State Property Administration, conducting environmental patrols and surveys. Through habitat creation and water level regulation, they have established a bird-friendly ecosystem.

Today, Chiayi Branch Director Li Ding-Zhong and a representative from Mingta Technology signed the partnership agreement titled 'The Transformation Path of Budai's Abandoned Salt Pans into a Waterbird Paradise – Greening and Revitalizing the Budai Salt Flat Wetlands' at the branch office. With Mingta's professional execution, a collaborative team will be formed with the Kaohsiung Wild Bird Society and the Budai Xin-Cen Community, demonstrating a public-private partnership model for habitat conservation.

The Chiayi Branch explained that Mingta Technology will contribute to the conservation of the Budai Salt Flat Wetlands in three specific areas: removing invasive species such as Leucaena leucocephala (commonly known as 'Silver Wattle'), planting native coastal vegetation, and maintaining green hedges through community collaboration. These efforts aim to enhance wetland biodiversity and improve birdwatching conditions.

Director Li Ding-Zhong emphasized that conservation efforts cannot rely solely on government action and require broad societal participation. He expressed hope that this collaboration would inspire more enterprises to recognize the urgency of biodiversity conservation and join in protecting Taiwan's natural environment. (Edited by Li Shu-Hua) 1150812