January 30~February 5, 2012
Headline News
New lease of life: Pingtung County designates Alangyi Trail as natural reserve
Reported by Chen Yi-hsuan
Written by Lydia Ma
People concerned about the preservation of Alangyi Trail, the remaining 1% of natural coastline in Taiwan, got a great gift on the eve of Lunar New Year when Pingtung County announced on January 20, 2012 that the trail had been designated as a nature reserve after much deliberation.
Alangyi Ancient Trail, a 735.86 hectare strip of land from Hsuhai to Guanyin Cape, was on the verge of destruction in 2011 when news broke that construction of a coastal highway (Provincial Highway No. 26) linking Taitung County and Pingtung County would overlap with the trail.
The latest designation will henceforth protect Alangyi Trail and its flora and fauna and prevent Highway No.26 from traversing it. Concerning this much-anticipated decision, PCT Associate General Secretary Lyim Hong-tiong said that preserving the trail was the right decision and added that good planning and improved facilities would go a long way in attracting tourists and generating income for locals in the area. He said this in response to many locals who had hoped that the highway would be built so that the area could be developed and in turn generate some income for them.
Lyim, along with 60 other PCT pastors and members had trekked the trail and hosted a prayer meeting there on September 10, 2011. The prayer meeting was part of a PCT prayer movement launched in the past year called “Lift Up My Eyes to the Hills”. The prayer movement’s themes include repentance, evangelism, nuclear-free homeland, social justice, and environmental justice.
Lyim said that Alangyi Trail is ecologically and culturally priceless and hoped that it would be preserved for future generations to enjoy. He also suggested that local churches across Taiwan take their congregations there for an ecological exposure tour. “You won’t understand how precious it is if you just hear people talk about it. Once you’ve been there, you’ll understand its worth,” he said, adding that a trip to Alangyi will be good for the body and the soul.
In a show of support for Alangyi Trail, representatives from more than 23 environmental and art groups congregated outside Pingtung County Hall to await the final decision. Many citizens who supported the preservation of Alangyi Trail were also present. Similarly, those who supported the building of Highway 26 were also there because they also had a stake in the outcome.
After Pingtung County had finished deliberations, Deputy Magistrate Chung Chia-pin held a press conference to announce the final decision. He said the County had found after much consultation that the area from Hsuhai to Guanyin Cape qualified as a nature reserve. The total area of the reserve that would be protected, including the shoreline, was 841.30 hectares. Henceforth, Alangyi Trail will be protected in accordance to clauses 84 and 85 of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Law.
