As is the case in virtually every other country, however, this biodiversity is under great threat due to factors such as climate change, habitat loss and pollution. In order to safeguard the nation’s ecological richness, the Republic of China (ROC) government has enacted wide-ranging environmental legislation and established numerous nature reserves. At present, more than 3,000 animal species are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act, while the country now has nine national parks, one national nature park, 22 nature reserves, six forest reserves, 20 wildlife refuges and 37 major wildlife habitats. In total, these regions account for more than 19 percent of the nation’s total land area.
Over the past decade, in line with the international consensus on the need to address the worrisome decline in marine biodiversity, the ROC government has focused considerable attention on protecting oceanic ecosystems. In 2007, it created the Dongsha Atoll National Park, which encompasses a coral reef in the South China Sea. This was followed in 2009 by Taijiang National Park, which was set up along the coast of the southern city of Tainan to preserve the area’s rich marine life. And just last year, the South Penghu Marine National Park was established in the Taiwan Strait. In total, these three parks span more than 4,000 square kilometers. Moreover, the government is currently assessing the feasibility of creating two further marine national parks—one centered on Green Island off Taiwan’s southeastern coast and another that will include three uninhabited islands off the northeastern coast.
One of the greatest challenges that countries currently face is striking an appropriate balance between economic development and environmental protection. During the latter half of the 20th century, the rapid growth of Taiwan’s industrial sector took a significant toll on the island’s diverse ecosystems. However, a strong environmental consciousness has since taken hold in Taiwanese society, and the nation has become committed to achieving sustainable development. This is demonstrated by the growing public attention paid to environmental impact assessments (EIA). Since the Environmental Impact Assessment Act was passed in 1994, more than 1,000 large-scale development projects have undergone EIAs, while the regulations concerning such assessments have become increasingly stringent.
The ROC government is now seeking to establish legal frameworks that promote conservation while allowing responsible use of Taiwan’s natural resources. This was highlighted in February this year when the Wetland Conservation Act took effect. This law prevents construction in areas of vital ecological importance, such as Sicao and Zengwen estuaries in Tainan, while permitting commercial activities such as aquaculture in certain wetland regions under strict conditions.
Due in part to its high population density and frenetic economic emergence, Taiwan faces unique challenges in protecting its rich biodiversity. Yet despite these difficulties, the nation has in recent years displayed an unwavering determination to preserve its remarkable natural environment. With more than 11,000 square kilometers of the country’s territory on land and at sea now reserved as protected areas, the ROC government has accomplished much in the past few decades and is committed to expanding its efforts in coming years.