Shei-Pa National Park

Shei-Pa National Park is located at the border of Hsinchu, Miaoli and Taichung Counties. It has 51 peaks over 3,000 meters high and faces Dajia River in the east and south. The total area of the park is 76,850 hectares.

Shei-Pa National Park was established in 1992 as the fifth national park in Taiwan. The park is renowned for its wild and mostly undeveloped landscape and mountainous scenery. The mountains in the park are of different heights and the drop height reaches 3,000 meters. These mountains are origins of major rivers in northern and central Taiwan, so that erosions by the rivers has formed spectacular scenes in the park.

Shei-Pa National Park has both sub-frigid and temperate climates breeds a great variety of plants and animals, including many rare and endemic species. Prominent wildlife here include salmon and black bears.

Shei-Pa National Park was established to protect and study the area's splendid wilderness, and to maintain and natural environment and all the forms of life it supports. Conservation is therefore the first priority for the park, and a large proportion of its land is set apart as ecological protection area, or special scenic area, with limited access for ordinary visitors.

Under the National Parks Law, Shei-Pa and other national parks are required to actively promote conservation of natural resources, research, recreation and sustainability of use. Because of this, Shei-Pa National Park is divided into four types of management zones, with different levels of restriction and control over land use. "Conservation Areas" contain natural biotic communities and their habitats, which are strictly protected for ecological research. Any unauthorized collection of specimens, the use of pesticides and construction of any kind are forbidden. "Special Scenic Areas" are areas of special natural features that cannot be recreated, and in which development are strictly controlled. "Recreation Areas" are areas suitable for various outdoor leisure activities. The construction of recreational facilities and limited exploitation are permitted. These areas include the Wuling and Guanwu Recreation Areas. Finally, "General Protected Areas" are areas of land and water not within other zone types, including existing small villages. Continuation of existing land use modes is permitted.

Here is an interesting article to read:

• Endangered endemic salmon species faces new ecological threats (March 20, 2006)