An industry that has developed as a result of the pollution is dredging for red earthworms (monopylephorus rubroniveus), which thrive in the dirty mud of the river bed. Sold to eel farms and for feeding ducks, dredging for red earthworms used to provide good money 30 years ago, but Taiwan has now lost its competitive edge to China -- and in any case, according to one local, the pollution level in the river has risen to a level in which even these hardy creatures can no longer survive.
As for the old men, they come from a page of Taiwan's history that is rapidly receding out of reach. "We have to admit that this is the last generation [to live like this]," Tseng said. But perhaps for Taiwan's youth, it is not too late to touch base with what is still a living part of their culture.
What: Sanjiaotu Riverside Arts Festival (
When: Officially opens on Dec. 3. Events continue until Dec. 10
Where: Sanjiaotu -- this location is no longer marked on maps of Taipei. From the Chiantan MRT station (
Information about events and times is available at HTTP://HOME.KIMO.COM.TW/TAIWAN_SHUI/
RSS