TaipeChapter 9 i Environmental Ecology

Taipei City is located in the center of basin surrounded by: Ta Tun, ChihSing, Five Finger, Nangang and Er Ke Mountains while The Tam Shui River, Hsin Dien Creek and The Jing Mei Creek constitute the parameters of earTaipei County. This geographical diversity gives our city y a rich and heterogeneous face. Specifically, we are blessed with such fecund natural areas as: Yangmingshan National Park, formed between Ta Tun and ChihSing Mountains, Hong Shu Lin wetland, the world’s highest mangrove forest, Huan Chian Natural Park for wild geese and wild ducks and bookCitizen Forest of the Four Beasts Mountain. 臺 北 市 年 鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Environmental Ecology 環保生態

quality was unhealthful (PSI, pollutant standards index, greater than 100), or 21 days fewer than the aipei is the nation’s political, economic, educational, recreational and cultural center. As 68 days recorded in 2004. Tenvironmental issues are of great concern to all the people of Taipei, in 2005 the City Government (2) Enforcement and Prevention of Mobile launched several projects such as “Clean Air for Taipei, Good Breathing for Residents”, “Environmental Pollutant Sources Education Year” and “River Protection for Everyone” to promote the understanding of environmental The main source of Taipei’s air pollution is issues and social ethics among residents, which has proved helpful in enhancing Taipei’s overall mobile pollutant sources. In 2005, guidance was environmental quality. provided to motorcycle shops to establish 140 emissions testing stations to offer convenient emissions testing services. The testing focuses Ⅰ Pollution Control Conducting inspections of mobile pollutant sources in 4 cities and on high-emitting vehicles. The public is also counties April through August 2005. In striving to improve air and water quality, encouraged to report to authorities vehicles control waste and nurture hillside ecology, Taipei with high levels of emissions based on visual has introduced many pioneering environmental determination. Roadside inspections focus on measures, and is developing itself into a clean, emissions of motorcycles and diesel vehicles and beautiful world-class city. oil quality. Taipei is the first city to use 100% bio- diesel for its garbage trucks to lower pollutant 1. Air Quality emissions, and improve the air quality. Air pollution in Taipei has come about mainly (3) Control of Stationary Pollutant Sources from vehicle exhaust, construction sites and Stationary pollutant sources include construction sites, factories and a range of factory emissions. The Environmental Protection An environmental inspector makes the rounds at a construction Administration of the Executive Yuan has put public and private places. An effective control site. ordinances into effect that encourage the usage of mechanism is repeated follow-up inspections oil with fewer pollutants; roadside inspections of of these sources. The City Government advises emissions from diesel vehicles and motorcycles Taipei’s flourishing restaurant industry how to have been actively undertaken; and an air control emissions of greasy fumes. Gas stations pollution prevention tax on construction sites are subject to inspections of oil recycling has been imposed. Inspection and guidance are operations. key words in the effort to nurture a healthy urban In order to assist in the reduction of greenhouse P132 Habitat recovery: water birds gather at the Guandu Nature gases, the Greenhouse Gas Emission Database of Preserve. ecology. Taipei was established in 2005. The “I Love Cool (1) Air Quality Inspection and Testing Air quality surveillance of Taipei in the period Earth” conservation project elicited the pledges of 17 department stores to self-manage resource An environmental inspector investigates sources of noise 1994~2005 showed that the levels of sulfur pollution. dioxide, carbon dioxide and other pollutants conservation. Future projects will be conducted to were all within the norms for good air quality reduce the amount of greenhouse gases. standard, the two exceptions being particulate matters and ozone. The Environmental Protection 2. Environmental Noise Administration’s surveillance stations indicated Taipei’s efforts to impose noise control measures in 2005 included reports of noise inspections, that in 2005 there were 47 days when Taipei’s air residents’ complaints of traffic noise, the monitoring and surveillance of environmental and transportation 152 153 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Environmental Ecology 環保生態

noise, subsidies provided to the Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and radioactivity should be handled by the Atomic Energy Council. Since the radioactive buildings involve Communications for aircraft noise prevention, the promotion of relevant anti-noise pollution laws and public health concernsas well as other problems such as demolition, relocation, and compensation, the regulations, and unscheduled inspections of industries that produce high levels of noise. An environmental promulgated the “Taipei Municipal Self-Government Ordinance on the Handling protection hotline (02-27206301~2) was set up and operates on a year-round 24 hour schedule to field of Radioactive Buildings” on Aug. 1st, 2005. complaints from residents and provide for the immediate dispatch of personnel to inspect reported cases. The Taipei City Government has also actively cooperated with the Atomic Energy Council to come Noise pollution stems mainly from stationary sources such as factories and plants, recreation areas, up with countermeasures, and to administer surveys to help resolve the problems associated with the businesses, constructions sites, loudspeaker systems, and other locations specified in the Noise Control radioactive buildings in Taipei. The “Taipei Municipal Radioactive Building Surveillance and Handling Code of the Department of Environmental Protection of the Taipei City Government. In addition to Committee” was established on May 4th, 1996 to provide subsidies and health examinations for the examining the above sites, noise control inspectors respond to residents’ complaints concerning the residents of the contaminated buildings. excessive noise produced by aircraft, traffic, the mass transit system, the railway system, and school amplifiers. 4. Water Quality Protection To assist the Taipei International Airport in the processing of a preliminary application for a subsidy To popularize the concept of the protection of water resources, the Taipei City Government conducted to create aircraft noise prevention facilities, notifications were sent on Mar. 23rd, Aug. 8th and Aug. various classroom activities highlighting the natural environment. The activities included “A Sightseeing 18th, 2005 to 399 residents who live in the control area of aircraft noise (subsidized items include Tour of Water Resources in Greater Taipei”, “Guided Tours for Students”, “Understanding Fireflies”, sound insulation doors, sound insulation windows, a ventilation noise elimination box and other noise “Volunteer Training” and “With Love There’s No Handicap”, which was addressed to the handicapped and control equipment). 358 applications passed preliminary screening and will be forwarded to the Taipei disadvantaged. The programs were aimed at increasing the public’s understanding of and concern for water International Airport for review. ecology protection water resources. (1) Utilizing Water Resources 3. The Problem of Radioactive The Feitsui Reservoir is the main source of drinking water for close to 4.5 million people in the Greater Buildings Taipei Metropolitan Area. In 2005, the total amount of rainfall in the reservoir’s watershed was 4,765mm; Over a decade has passed since the discovery the total intake of water was 1,303,440,000 cubic meters, and the total discharge was 1,321,210,000 cubic of buildings contaminated by radioactivity in July meters. The actual tap water supply was 168,510,000 cubic meters, including 70,980,000 cubic meters 1992. By the end of December 2005 the total had provided to the County Water Company. reached 850 buildings. According to statistics To maintain the quality of the reservoir’s water supply, regular testing of samples is conducted monthly from the Atomic Energy Council, 447 buildings at the 19 surveillance stations within the reservoir’s watershed and the Nanshi River. Assessment results for in Taipei were still radioactive as of Dec. 31st, 2005 showed that water quality was normal throughout the year except for February when the water was at 2005, with the other 403 no longer radioactive. an oligotrophic level.

Most of the radioactive buildings were built On Dec. 12th, 2005, the Fifth Meeting of the Taipei Municipal The “Feitsui Reservoir Ecotechnology Water Quality Improvement Radioactive Building Surveillance and Handling Committee was between 1982~1984, and problems concerning held. Plan” was actively promoted to improve the reservoir’s water quality, along with other water quality protection measures such as soil and water conservation engineering, road and tunnel maintenance, reservoir Noise Control cleanup, and afforestation, among others. Also, the cooperation of the Taipei Water Management Office of WRA, MOEA in implementing Noise may be defined as detestable sounds that make people unhappy. In general, any sound that has the “Taipei Water Sewage System Sewage Handling Work” reduced a negative physical and psychological effect on people physically and psychologically can be deemed the amount of sewage entering water resources. The Taipei Feitsui noise. “Noise control” refers to any measure that lessens the negative physical and psychological Reservoir Administration has made the request to the Environmental impact that noise has on people. In reality, most noiseis man-made. Consequently, not only is it Protection Administration at all of the environmental effect and necessary for the government to impose strict noise control measures, but the public must cooperate in assessment meetings to adhere to the recommendations espoused by creating a quiet and comfortable living environment. Certificate of Registration of BS7799 the Environmental Assessment Council regarding the opening of the from BSI. 154 155 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Environmental Ecology 環保生態

Taipei-Yilan Highway, insisting that the Ministry make information concerning water quality of Transportation and Communications and the transparent. It has posted water quality Area National Expressway Engineering examination information, water quality Bureau keep their promise to protect the sources Q&A and water use safety promotional and the quality of drinking water for the five materials on its website, and has set up million people of Taipei City and County. eightwater quality information stations at (2) Improving Water Quality high traffic locations. The Taipei Water Department has established a The self-developed Automatic Water constant surveillance mechanism and taken various Quality Monitoring System can also be strict measures to supply residents with quality found on the website, a convenient place Flood control personnel in action during drills. Inspecting a sewage treatment facility. drinking water. for users to obtain water quality monitoring A. The Automatic Water Quality Monitoring information. The system earned the praise System was the First to Obtain BS7799 of the Executive Yuan. Certification (3) Water Quality Surveillance Since 1983, when the Taipei Water In 2005 the Taipei City Government conducted Department established the Automatic 518 security inspections at Daba and affiliated Water Quality Monitoring System, 61 sites, 264,029 surveillance inspections, undertaken water quality monitoring stations have 124 maintenance works, and conducted 54 special been set up successively to monitor over tests before and after the typhoon season. In 472 water quality indexes. The entire 2005 efforts were focused on the maintenance water purification procedure is under of mechanical water gate and surveillance Cleaning up an oil slick after the Jiuguizikeng River Incident. Environmental inspector undertaking sewage sampling. close surveillance on a round-the-clock instruments, and the replacement of the power basis, providing an early warning function, plant facility. and indicating water quality conditions for ease of maintenance. The Automatic Water Quality The Taipei City Government has conducted Monitoring System received BS7799 certification in June 2004, and has since passed each bi-annual long-term surveillance of the water quality of review. rivers and waters within its jurisdiction. Records B. Water Quality Information Transparency indicate that the Danshui River is moderately To assure residents of the high quality of tap water, the Taipei Water Department has worked hard to to heavily pollute, the Keelung River and the Xindian River is moderately polluted, and the Striking Performance of Water Purification Jingmei River has a low level of pollution. Taipei’s rivers are located downstream, and pollutants The Taipei Water Department maintains an internal water purification standard that is strictericter mainly came from household sewage: Taipei has Flood control personnel during drills. than the standard for drinking water, conducts reviews and makes immediate improvements at a population of approximately 2,630,000, and purification plants when any abnormal condition occurs, and empowers management to enhance the it is estimated that daily household sewage is 800,000 tons, accounting for 96% of Taipei’s waste water. effectiveness of the water purification process. The quality of discharged water at all plants reached 79.03% of households are connected to the sewage system., Those that remain unconnected or are located 100% of the drinking water standard and 99.94% of the internal standard. The Zhitan Purification Plant in unreachable areas include: 246 businesses supervised under the Water Pollution Prevention Act, and participated in the “Water Purification Plant Operation Assessment Trial Plan” outsourced to the Yen 199 community sewer systems, for a total of 445 sites that require sewage to be processed before it is Tjing Ling Industrial Research Institute by Water Resources Agency, MOEA, and ranked No.1 among discharged into waterways. the top five large purification plants, proving that the management of purification plants is on track. To ensure the safety of the city’s drinking water, 712 randomly inspected samples of tap water were

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taken in 2005 and all met the water standard. Twelve out of 157 drinking fountains failed inspection tests

and were improved to meet the standard. Ⅱ Environmental Preservation For long term monitoring of river water quality, 15 water quality sampling stations have been set up at Taipei has the highest population density in Taiwan. To keep its streets clean, various environmental various rivers to analyze samples on a monthly basis. maintenance works were put into operation to create a high quality, comfortable living environment.

5. Pathogen Prevention 1. Per Trash Bag Collection Fee Situated in the subtropical zone, Taipei has a climate that is hot and humid, and very conducive for As trash fees collected along with water fees no longer kept pace with the actual costs of trash the growth and reproduction of various pathogens. To effectively decrease the density of its mosquito, collection, as of July 1st, 2000, Taipei began the imposition of the “Per Trash Bag Collection Fee” to fly and cockroach populations, the Taipei City Government established the “Taipei Municipal Pathogen encourage residents to reduce the amount of trash they produce and increase recycling efforts. This has Control Plan 2005” as the basis for the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Health and effectively resolved problems arising from increased amounts of trash and lack of resources. Since the Per Trash Bag Collection Fee was first imposed, daily trash per capita has been reduced from district offices to conduct pathogen investigation, promote educational initiatives, and eliminate vector and 1.40 kg to 0.63 kg per person in 2005, a 55% reduction; if one takes into account recycling from private environmental spraying. factories and businesses, the overall recycling ratio reached 38.27% in 2005, and the amount of daily (1) Outdoor Environmental Spraying recycling has reached as high a figure as 1,014.95 metric tons. The Department of Environmental Protection conducts pesticide spraying every two months in Taipei’s 449 neighborhoods, at all of Taipei’s 62 public markets, and at 186 market surroundings. In cooperation 2. City Landscape Maintenance with the Department of Health, sprayings were conducted in 65 neighborhoods with a density of Aedes To maintain neat and clean streets and sidewalks mosquitoes above level 2 and at 102 household surroundings where cases of dengue fever and Japanese for the residents of Taipei, Taipei DEP sanitation encephalitis had been reported (including suspected cases) to eradicate all insect-carriers of infectious crews began using manual and mechanical street diseases. sweepers. They are also used to keep sewers (2) Extermination of the Imported Red Fire Ant flowing without obstruction. In 2005, 427,058 On Oct. 1st, 2004, the Taipei City Government established “Imported Red Fire Ant Invasion” Control km of streets were cleaned by street sweepers, Center, with Deputy Mayor Yeh Ching-chuan as convener. The ants in the nine cases reported were and 4,404.85 metric tons of dust were cleared all exterminated according to the Imported Red Fire Ant Invasion Mechanism, and regular rounds of away; 885 major drainage sewers with a length inspections found no reappearance of the ants. of 101,846.8 meters were cleaned and 71,686.03 metric tons of sludge were removed; 13,212 side Environmental Protection Keeps the Guizikeng River Clean and ditches with a length of 3,082,691.7 meters were Volunteers Engaged in Environmental Activity. cleaned and 25,067.78 metric tons of sludge were removed. Taipei was the first municipality in Taiwan to implement the per trash bag collection fee and scheduled garbage pickups. “Enhancing Environmental Protection, Mobilizing for a Clean Taipei” plan launched by the Department of Environmental Protection made use of a range of inspection methods such as standing guard at dump sites and maintaining vigilance against the improper dumping of garbage (including the use of improper trash bags). A total of 7,962 offenders were reported in the period from January to December 2005. To maintain the sightlines of the city landscape, the Taipei City Government ordered the removal of all advertising in violation of city ordinances and investigated all abandoned vehicles without license plates. Advertisers found in violation were prosecuted and their telephone service was suspended. In 2005 there were 1,977 cases in which telephone service was suspended in cooperation with the telephone company and the Department of Environmental Protection. The measures taken proved to be extremely effective. 13,907 abandoned vehicles without license plates (2,338 automobiles and 11,569 motorcycles)

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were reported, and the Taipei Police Department reported 13,685 abandoned vehicles with license plates In 2006, the public and consumers will continue (1,594 automobiles and 12,091 motorcycles). A total of 18,907 abandoned vehicles were towed (1,739 to be encouraged to participate in the “Taipei automobiles and 17,168 motorcycles). Municipal Managed Public Toilet Evaluation Mayor Ma Ying-jeou has vowed to maintain Taipei’s beautiful mountains and greenery, and called Implementation Plan”, which will focus on for residents to actively participate in environmental volunteer and adoption work. On Mar. 12th, 2005 the public toilets in hotels and restaurants. The in Beitou, the activity Environmental Protection to Keep the Guizikeng River Clean was undertaken. number of managed toilets will be increased to Additionally, 30 abandoned vehicles were impounded and 716.688 metric tons of mountain area refuse 10,000. To enhance the quality of public toilets, were disposed of in 2005. specialists will draw upon toilet cleansing Pedestrians often get dripped on by water coming from air conditioners when walking along sidewalks techniques from Japan to make CD and card and walkways. Now, with its new city ordinance, the Taipei Municipal Handling of Waste Material Law, manuals to pass out for reference in order to

Article 27, Clause 11, Taipei has become the first municipality to clamp down on dripping air conditioners. increase the overall percentage of excellent Taipei residents test out the first batch of managed public toilets and above average public toilets to over 75%. in restaurants, department stores and theatres. The toilets won A total of 7,757 cases were investigated, 1,670 recommendations and 12 reported cases from June to rave reviews. October 2004. The rate of successful responses to recommendations was 99%. From April to October Certificates were awarded to managing units 2005, 4,690 cases were investigated, 1,448 recommendations were made and there were 20 reported cases. of excellent public toilets in 2005, and gift Public reaction was positive. certificates from NT$1500~5000 were distributed to excellent sanitary personnel as encouragement 3. Public Toilet Education to maintain their high level of performance. Taipei’s public toilets are neither dirty nor smelly, and the flowers and greenery that adorn them make going to the toilet enjoyable. To create a more pleasant public toilet environment, the Taipei City 4. Walk Dog on Leash, Pick Up Government has continued promoting its world-class public toilet cleanliness campaign in 2005. It has after Your Dog installed up-to-date sanitation equipment, provides handicapped and parent-child facilities, and has Since 2002, Taipei has been promoting the improved the men-women toilet ratio. Seminars are being conducted to teach sanitary personnel how to “Walk dog on leash, Pick up after your dog” improve their restroom cleaning skills. campaign, making use of the joint forces of Walk dog on leash, Pick up after your dog. To sustain the initial success of the campaign, the “Taipei Municipal Managed Public Toilet Evaluation residents and government units to keep public Implementation Plan” was put into effect in 2005, which allowed the public and consumers to participate roads clean and free of feces. in evaluating and monitoring the maintenance of public toilets. Among the 9,744 managed public toilets However, since many residents continue to in 2005, 2,086, or 21.41%, were rated excellent, 4,596, or 47.17%, were above average, 3,062, or 31.42%, walk their dogs in public unleashed and refuse were average and 0 were recommended for improvement. to pick up their dogs’ droppings after them, the campaign will remain in effect. The public is called upon to take photos of dog owners in Garbage Cleanup and Disposal violation of the ordinance, and is eligible to To meet waste reduction and resource recycling receive 20% of the fine as a reward. If a public goals in Taipei, the 3-in-1 Resource Recycling official reports the violator, 10% of the fine is Program was implemented. Waste is picked up awarded. Everyone is encouraged to maintain a clean environment. In 2005 the Department of by garbage trucks at specific times at designated An inspector from the Department of Environmental Protection Environmental Protection fined 188 dog owners issuing a fine to a dog owner for not picking up after his dog. locations (to prevent huge garbage heaps on streets for not picking up after their dogs. and sidewalks), and 57 waste collection points have To enhance the public’s sense of responsibility and encourage the habit of walking your dog on a been set up in Taipei’s 12 districts to meet the needs leash and picking up after your dog, the Department of Environmental Protection has sponsored four of local residents and businesses. promotional activities so that everyone can work together to create a quality living space. Environmental Protection Administration inspector overseeing the mandatory sorting of refuse.

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auctioned off (including 3,966 pieces of furniture

Ⅲ Recycle and Reuse and 1,501 bicycles) for a total of NT$3,903,058, As the economy has made rapid strides, the amount of trash in the city has similarly spiraled. Recyclable an increase of 23.8% over 2004 when 4,819 pieces resources need to be sorted and recycled to ensure landfill sites and incinerators will not be overwhelmed. were sold for NT$3.15million. Furthermore, trash contains harmful elements that can easily result in secondary environmental pollution. To increase sales and sale promotions, With these concerns in mind, the Taipei City Government has actively promoted various recycling in addition to the above-mentioned site, the measures and worked them into a resource recycling system. Department of Environmental Protection has added an online bidding service beginning Jan. 1. Kitchen Waste Recycling 6th, 2004. Selections of the renovated furniture are posted on the Yahoo website for auction. From Kitchen waste makes excellent compost, and can also be used as pig feed. If such leftovers are recycled, Jan. 6th, 2004 to December 2005, there were a the amount of trash handled by incinerators can be greatly reduced, and other problems such as dust The Neihu Incinerator Feedback Facility-inauguration ceremony total of 321 transactions of recycled furniture, and production can be ameliorated. To reach the goal of eliminating landfills by 2010, in addition to the of the Huluzhou Exercise Park. 321 instances of positive feedback. implementation of the per trash bag collection fee, the active planning of kitchen waste recycling was undertaken. After an extended trial period, kitchen waste recycling was finally put into effect on Dec. 26th, 2003. 3. Operation of Incinerators To effectively make use of recycled kitchen waste, cooperation from the public was requested to sort Currently Taipei has three incinerators which kitchen waste into “Pig Feed Kitchen Waste” and “Compost Kitchen Waste”. Kitchen waste transport are located in Neihu, Muzha and Beitou. All facilities were constructed at the Neihu, Muzha three are state-of-the-art facilities with pollution and Beitou incinerators in 2005, and all began control and heat energy recycle electric generating operations. capabilities. Effecient equipment operation and The “Compost Kitchen Waste” collected in management characterize each incinerator. The September 2005 all went to the Formosa Plastics incinerators undergo regular inspections and Corporation’s Yunlin Dongshi Factory for reuse. In maintenance checks. On Management provides 2005, 39,512.37 metric tons of “Compost Kitchen on-the-job training and cultivates the technical The Beitou Incinerator Feedback Facility-grand opening of the Zhoumei Café at the Zhoumei Sport Park. Waste” and 10,513.41 metric tons of “Pig Feed staff’s ability to handle emergency situations. Kitchen Waste” for a total of 50,025.78 metric tons All operations are strictly executed according were recycled, making an average of 196 metric to standard operation procedures and have passed the ISO 14001 environmental management system tons daily. The recycling quota has already been certification. In 2005, 612,148.79 metric tons of wastes were processed, emissions of concentrations of reached. dioxin, air pollutants, effluents and ash solidification are all within prescribed standard limits. “Creating Healthy Taipei, Meeting the Challenge of a 60% Decrease”- the Appeal to Taipei residents to decrease trash by 60% . 2. Recycling Furniture To make effective use of large pieces Kitchen Waste Transport Facilities of discarded furniture, the Department of The kitchen waste transport facilities established Environmental Protection has set up a “Recycled at various incinerators are all indoors, stationary, Furniture Exhibition” on the 2nd floor corridor of mechanized and sanitary. The facilities transport the Zhongshan Soccer Stadium (near Minzu West recycling barrels, process water permeation from Road) to display renovated recycled furniture. recycled kitchen waste and eliminate odors. Inaugurated on Jan. 18th, 2003, the exhibition operates at a fixed location and schedule (open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday, with an The Department of Environmental Protection’s Neihu auction every Saturday at 11A.M.). From January Kitchen Waste Transport Point. to December 2005, 5,467 repaired items were Transporting kitchen waste. 162 163 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Environmental Ecology 環保生態

Residents living in the vicinity of the incinerators were compensated. The Neihu incinerator made use

of existing facilities to open the Huluzhou Sport Park on Dec. 25th, 2004. The Muzha incinerator opened Ⅳ Natural Environmental Conservation Bojia Sport Park on Nov. 5th, 2005, and the Beitou incinerator opened Zhoumei Sport Park on July 17th, Taipei has a varied natural environment featuring mountains, forests and streams. To conserve these 2004. These exercise parks have many facilities such as heated swimming pools, tennis courts, a gym, a precious natural resources, the promotion of natural environmental conservation has been conducted for reading room, art classrooms, and a parking lot, among others. Residents registered in the Beitou, Shilin, quite some time. The Guandu Nature Reserve and Waterfowl Refuge, Guandu Nature Park, Wild Duck Neihu, Nangang and Wenshan Districts enjoy free access to these facilities. Nature Park, Neishuangxi Forest Nature Park and Sishou Mountain have been established to protect the natural environment and provide the public with excellent leisure outdoor areas. 4. Environmental Protection Volunteer Crew The Taipei Environmental Protection Volunteer Crew was formed by a group of enthusiastic volunteers 1. Species Conservation who wanted to do something for Taipei. The organization was established under the guidance of the Taipei is a highly urbanized and international metropolitan area, with limited sites suitable for wild Department of Environmental Protection in 1991. Every year volunteers are recruited and trained to take animals. Thus, in addition to setting aside designated conservation areas, measures have been taken part in programs that serve to protect and improve the environment. Participating in such programs as trash to comply with the Wild Animal Conservation Act. This includes the cracking down on illegal sale of bag collection fees, public toilet evaluation, walk dog on leash and pick up after dog and the promoters protected animals and their byproducts, rendering assistance to wild animals in need, importing and of environmental protection, these hard-working volunteers have devoted themselves protecting Taipei’s exporting wild animals, overseeing exhibitions and research applications, et al. The “Taipei Non-Native environment. Species Management Seminar” was held on July 26th, 2005 to enhance law enforcement and the public’s (1) Promoting Environmental Decrees understanding of conservation. There are currently 8,131 community environmental volunteers and 7,082 student environmental Animal protection is a priority of the Taipei City Government’s environmental policy. It has established volunteers that work in cooperation with two programs, “Help Stray Dogs Find a Home” and “Harmonious Relationship Between Man and Animal”, the Department of Environmental Protection. The to protect animals and improve the environment. “Environmental Volunteers Assist Environmental The Taipei City Government treats the city’s stray dogs with “love”. It established the “Taipei Work · Angel Project” was drafted for the purpose Abandoned Dog Handling Program” in February 1999 to help solve the problems associated with stray of creating a volunteer work structure. Volunteer dogs. The programs assists with such measures as “Pet Registration” and “The Neutering of Cats and business meetings are held irregularly, at which Dogs” to raise the consciousness of pet owners concerning their responsibility in caring for their pets and the given year’s priorities and assignments are decrease the numbers of stray dogs and cats. The Taipei Animal Shelter was built and officially opened discussed, and exchange tasks learned. in August 2005. The shelter’s facilities conform to the principles of animal welfare. It was designed with (2) Promoting Environmental Concepts reference to shelters of advanced countries to provide animals with a suitable environment. In 2005, 7,748 Volunteer work ranges from monthly pet owners registered their pets and subsidies for 2,172 pet neutering operations were approved. environment clean up tasks and maintenance, to adopting district parks, cleaning up obstacles Environmental volunteers participate in the “2005 Clean Up the 2. Habitat Conservation in fire lanes, promoting environmental decrees World Day” – Sanjiaodu Beach Cleanup Activity. In 2005, patrol and maintenance of protected and measures, recycling resources and cleaning areas were continued. In addition, creation of up areas struck by natural disaster. By hands-on wetlands and habitat restoration work were experience in maintaining Taipei’s environment conducted at Huajiang and Guandu Nature Park and giving back to society, volunteers learn and to conserve the habitat environment for wild promote environmental protection concepts. animals; barrier free access environment was (3) Educational Training Classes constructed at Guandu Nature Park, and trails built In 2005 a series of educational training at Neishuangxi Forest Nature Park to create quality classes were launched, including community and leisure space. school volunteer training programs to integrate The Wild Duck Nature Park has been in community and school resources, provide operation for many years. The new park has At the Guandu International Bird-watching Expo, the public can students with community work, for the purpose of appreciate long distance birds without worrying about avian expanded and offers different scenery than the influenza, and they can learn of the importance of ecological cultivating a spirit of community service. The 2005 World Earth Day, Taiwanese Children Love the Earth. conservation. original park. The original setting has undergone 164 165 臺北市年鑑 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5 Environmental Ecology 環保生態

change as a result of floods. The public has made suggestions on routes and facilities; in addition, at the (3) Rivers as a Source of Potential Landslides end of 2004 the Department of Economic Development invited environmental conservation groups to According to a survey conducted by the Soil study necessary revisions and renovations to this precious wetland to provide the public with a unique and Water Conservation Bureau in 2003, 49 rivers recreational area. On June 6th, 2005, the Department of Economic Development held a seminar titled the “ were determined to have the potential to create Wild Duck Nature Park and Waterfowl Refuge Improvement Project”. Improvement work is expected to landslides, 29 of which are to be continually begin in 2006. monitored. In 2005 The Taipei City Government Jointly sponsored by Hotai Motors, HSBC and the Wild Bird Federation, the 2006 Taipei International completed remediation of the rivers #052, 057 and Bird-watching Expo was held in November 2005. The exhibition included a display area, an interactive 058, and established a monitoring system at Shilin game area, a water resources seminar, lectures on ecological topics, et al., serving to attract large crowds. Houtong River and Neihu A287 River. In addition, Due to the widespread concerns of a global avian influenza epidemic, strict preventive measures were related disaster prevention measures, landslide taken at the expo to increase the safety of the public. Direct contact with the wetland area was prohibited; evacuation drills and landslide educational visitors could view birds at a distance of at least 10 meters; field glasses were provided for the public’s activities were conducted in conjunction with the At the Foot of Jinan Mountain located on the east side of the Soil and Water Conservation Bureau. use; within the expo area, the public was advised to wash hands frequently and avoid coming into contact Ziqiang Tunnel’s South Exit, before the village was demolished. with any bird; public areas were regularly disinfected and bird experts conducted regular analyses of bird feces. On both Nov. 12th and 13th, 4 thirty-minute lectures were conducted to promote understanding of 4. Ecotechnology Guandu organisms and avian influenza. Additionally, a series of activities were held in conjunction with the To maintain and enhance the water resources in Taipei, the Taipei City Government (TCG) held the National Taiwan Science Education Center. The following activities were held: The “Science Bird People seminars “The Study of Water Ecotechnology-Discussing Man-made Wetlands” on June 6th-8th, 2005 Meeting” (Nov. 26th and 27th), “Ecological Games at Beautiful Guandu” (Dec. 10th), and “Bird and and the 2005 Study of Ecotechnology. The programs were intended to educate officials and community People Sing in Harmony Christmas Concert” (Dec. 24th). planners about the function and construction of man-made wetlands that could serve to supplement Taipei’s water resources. 3. Mountainside Conservation To enhance mountainside safety and reduce the threat of landslides that would result in the loss of life 5. Green Architecture and property, in 2005 Taipei began several risk management projects. These include the surveillance of As amended on Jan. 1st, 2005, Chapter 17 “Green Building” of the “Building Code and Regulations” protected areas, close inspection to less stable mountainsides, and the surveying of watersheds and areas links public safety, public security, public health and improvement of the city’s appearance to the concept with a potential landslide. Improving wild river management and upgrading industrial roads and hiking of environmental protection. trails help provide residents with attractive outdoor leisure spots. In 2005, the TCG commissioned the Taipei Architects Association to handle “Promoting the Green (1) Relocation and Demolition of Dangerous Mountainside Villages Building Examination and Inspection System Execution Plan” to inspect and train green building design Illegal buildings in the mountainside are mostly scattered around the outskirts of nearby residential capability, establish a green architecture inspection website, conduct excellent green building designs, areas. A number of them are located in high-risk environmentally sensitive areas ill-suited for habitation among other activities. Huang, Chang & Associates/Architects, Bio Architecture Formosana and S.T.Yeh and not amenable to improvements rendered by engineering. The Taipei City Government has actively Architects & Planners received awards of excellence in 2005 for their green architectural designs. lobbied for the demolition and relocation of these villages to prevent future disasters from occurring. In In 2005, 19 licenses were issued for the construction of green buildings. 2005, the relocation and demolition projects referred to as “Village at the foot of Jinan Mountain located To implement and promote the concept of green architecture, more promotions and educational training on the east side of Ziqiang Tunnel’s South Exit” and “Village at mountainside of Lane 51, Fude Street in programs will be offered in the future, while the “Green Building Special Chapter” inspection and award the Xinyi District” were conducted smoothly without incurring any disputes. 94 buildings were demolished and 146 households and 478 people were relocated. program will be continued and “Green Building” design will be enhanced. (2) Using Bioecology Engineering to Regulate Wild Rivers To conserve water and soil resources, reduce the occurrence of disasters, the Taipei City Government 6. Animal Diversification and Conservation undertook the “Nangang Sifen River Remediation Project (2nd phase)” in 2005 to continue its survey and Since its relocation to Muzha in 1986, the Taipei Zoo has lent impetus to the endangered wild animal management of mountainside watersheds. In cooperation with community environmental needs, the control conservation movement and environmental education as its main objectives. It has improved animal project was designed to preserve water and soil resources, maintain greenery and scenery, and provide management, conservation research, medical treatment for animals, scenic constructions, ecological residents recreational sites to the enhance local environment and the quality of life. education, et al., thereby actively creating a harmonious natural space for humans and animals. In recent 166 167 Taipei Yearbook 2 0 0 5

years, initiatives were taken to integrate domestic and foreign research institutions and conservation groups to jointly promote in situ and ex situ conservation research of wild life and their habitats, such as conservation of the Asian elephant and the gibbon of Southeast Asia, the conservation of the Taipei Frog, the Farmland Tree Frog, the Pangolin and the Formosan Sika Deer to turn Taipei Zoo into a place of strategic importance for conservation and ecological education in Taiwan. (1) Ecological Specimen Exhibition The display areas in the zoo are divided by ecological region and animal classifications. Since its opening, completed or renovated areas in the zoo include the African Animal Area, the Australian Animal Area, the Formosan Animal Area, the Children’s Zoo, Bird World, the Nocturnal Animal House, the Education Center, the Koala House, the Penguin House, the Amphibian and Reptile House, and the Insectarium. The display areas feature 82 animals indigenous to Taiwan and 466 different species from around the world. The breeding techniques of many rare wild animals have been developed at the zoo, such as the Formosan Serow, the koala, the chimpanzee and the Heng-chun birdwing butterfly. Also in 2004, the Rescue Center for Wild Animals was completed for the purpose of assisting domestic conservation institutions in capturing, retaining and promoting the well being of endangered wild animals. Based on the principles of animal welfare and ecological education, the Taipei Zoo has devoted itself to integrating the various ecology animal habitats from around the world together with aspects of animal behavior in display areas. In 2005 the African Animal Area, the Madagascar Area, the Insectarium and Bird World were all renovated. In the Amphibian and Reptile House, the Taiwan lizard and the fresh water turtle was displayed. The overall display concept and intent are based on “life, nature, culture and history”, making it one of the prime resources in the promotion of ecological education in Taipei. (2) Wild Animal Ecology Survey To promote the protection of species in the local community and to make progress toward the goal of creating new conservation features, the Taipei Zoo began conducting an ecological survey of wild animals in the zoo and surrounding areas in 2003. As of 2005, 11 orders, 30 families, 65 genera, and 85 species were recorded, including 31 Taiwan indigenous species (or indigenous subspecies), 20 endangered wild animals and 3 foreign species. Among them were 8 orders, 15 families, and 26 species of mammals; 2 orders, 10 families, and 41 species of reptiles and 1 order, 5 families and 18 species of amphibians, accounting for 31.7% of the orders, 48.2% of the families and 58.1% of the species in Taiwan, convincingly demonstrating that the Taipei Zoo has the potential to develop into Taipei’s base for animal conservation and ecological education.

Over the years the high level of civic consciousness among Taipei’s residents has been demonstrated by their active participation in and support of efforts to enhance environmental protection and the overall quality of life in their city. As an international metropolitan city, Taipei holds to the tenet of constant self- improvement, and is actively working toward transforming itself into an eco-city placing Taipei at the front ranks of an urban living environment blessed with blue skies, green mountains, clean water, a peaceful environment, recycled resources and a rich and varied animal life.

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