A recent newspaper article reported on plans by the Kuan-tien township office
If the road is widened, it might well promote regional prosperity, but it will come at the cost of tall green mango trees, ranging in age from 30 to 40 years old -- the sight of which may soon be just a memory.
In Taiwan, many development projects (or, one might say, destruction projects) have been implemented to promote regional development. However, as more and more Taiwanese take advantage of the opportunity to go abroad, more and more envious comments are heard about the beautiful environment in other countries. People here don't seem to realize that their surroundings could also be built in such a way to equal those of foreign countries. All that is needed is to see things through different perspectives.
Chen's election has brought a new energy to Hsi-chuang village and business opportunities to the community. This is a good thing. But to destroy a beautiful landscape just to alleviate temporary traffic woes seems to be going too far. A revival of the community's business sectors should not emphasize short-term prosperity but rather sustainable management. Realizing the truly precious resources possessed by the community is a crucial point in creating sustainable development.
Rt. 171 is not the only road leading to Hsi-chuang village. The broad outer circle road from Lung-tien
A similiar problem has arisen over Hulu Lake near Kuan-tien township, because of plans to build a lakeside park. Hulu Lake is a rich in aquatic life. The surrounding area features an important cultural aspect of the township's historic business, water chestnut cultivation. Wouldn't it be a much better choice for the new and old business sectors, as well as the environment, to find an alternative use for the land and create a win-win situation for everyone?
At a time when the incoming government's plans and and working style are taking shape, Chen probably doesn't know the green mango trees of his childhood are about to disappear -- because of the glory his village has received from his victory.
Chen Pin-chuan is a graduate student of Tainan National College of the Arts.
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