Forest Reserves and the Taiwan Forestry Bureau

As introduced by the Yearbook of Republic of China:

Forest Reserves and the Taiwan Forestry Bureau

According to the most recent survey, about 73 percent of the 1.52 million hectares of national forestland in Taiwan is virgin forest. The Taiwan Forestry Bureau (TFB) has classified the forests under its jurisdiction into 1,227 management and inspection zones based upon forest distribution, traffic conditions, and the degree to which the forests have been damaged in the past. Over 850 rangers patrol these zones to prevent people from illegally felling trees, dumping refuse, or otherwise damaging the forests. These rangers also work to prevent and fight forest fires.

Forest reserves are national forest lands recognized as possessing unique natural characteristics. While these reserves are subject to the multiple-use policies of the TFB, managers of these areas are expected to emphasize preservation over development. In the past, several forest reserves have been promoted to nature reserve status, and this practice is expected to continue.

The basic law regulating the preservation of ROC's forests is the Forest Law. In accordance with this law, the TFB began a forest conservation program in 1965. The program includes surveying and studying rare plants and animals, as well as drafting plans for long-term studies, experimentation, and educational tourism within protected nature areas. TFB workers are continuing to survey the forests of Taiwan to identify different kinds of representative ecosystems and rare flora and fauna. In addition to entering all data into a computer network and setting up management survey stations for researching and protecting wild plants and animals, the TFB also posts educational information along the perimeters of forest reserves.

Until 1989, the TFB was financed through logging operations; however, forest management programs are no longer tied to timber harvest receipts. With a staff of more than 3,660, the TFB spent nearly US$115 million in fiscal 1997, yet the administration's income during the same period was just under US$4.4 million. Eighty-seven percent of the difference in funding was provided by the central government and 13 percent came from the Taiwan Provincial Government. The TFB also operates a network of hostels in forest areas that are more than a day's journey from any city, increasing the accessibility to these relatively isolated regions. Such hostels are open to the public for a fee that depends on the quality of services available and the length of stay.