The Hualien Forest Management Office set up garbage bins on the Sakura Trail in the "Wuhen Mountain Forest" demonstration, and was criticized by mountaineers for "saying one thing and doing another."

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

[Reporter You Tailang/Hualien Report] The Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture of the Executive Yuan and various national parks have been promoting the policy of "no trace of mountain forests" in recent years, but the Sakura Trail under the jurisdiction of the Hualien Forest Management Office has begun to place trash cans, which has caused pain to mountaineers Criticizing the leaders in violating the regulations, the practice of "saying one thing and doing another" not only destroys the natural ecology of the mountains and forests, but also sets the worst example.

A climber surnamed Lin pointed out that last month, some people sought joint signatures. In addition to requesting the improvement of toilets and other facilities on the Sakura Trail, they even suggested setting up trash cans in the gazebos where climbers rest. He believes that trash cans should not be placed in the mountains and forests. In addition to polluting the environment, it will also attract monkeys to forage and affect the ecology of Taiwan's macaques.

Some mountaineers believe that the forest management office and other units have repeatedly promoted the "no trace mountain forest" policy, persuading the public to protect the environment when going up the mountain, and take all garbage that may pollute the mountain forest down the mountain. People feel cheated.

The Hualien Forest Management Office pointed out that the Sakura Trail is a suburban natural trail, and the usage rate of mountain hikers is extremely high. It has repeatedly set up trash cans through the mailboxes of Mindai and the head of the government, considering the needs of mountain hikers and the conditions of wild animals in the forest. Closed trash cans with baffles are set up everywhere, and we will continue to observe whether there are wild animals rummaging for trash.

The Hualien Forest Management Office stated that the "No Trace Mountain Forest" policy is not an immutable and mandatory clause. It hopes to gain the recognition of caring for the mountains and forests through environmentally friendly actions and correct mountain forest education. The policy itself is correct. The responsible attitude of natural resources does not depend on deep mountains or suburban mountains; there is indeed littering on the Sakura Trail, so a compromise method is adopted to place closed trash cans in key areas, and to observe the effect and adjust follow-up actions.

In 1995, the Forestry Bureau issued the "Traceless Mountain Forest" declaration, which included seven principles. Among them, in the garbage part, it emphasized that garbage should be properly disposed of to maintain the environment, and all garbage brought in should be taken away, and properly disposed of that cannot be taken out. items.

Otherwise, wild animals may rummage curiously, eat them by mistake, and become sick or fatal. It is even recommended to take all the excrement away.

The Sakura Trail is often visited by a large number of climbers, and the Hualien Forest Management Office has been advocating for many years to bring garbage down the mountain.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

The population of Taiwanese macaques is growing on the Sakura Trail.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)