More than 600 Atayal Aborigines yesterday took to the streets to protest the establishment of the Makao Chinese Cypress National Park (
Led by independent Aboriginal legislator May Chin (
Opposition legislators Liao Fung-te (
The proposed park covers 53,000 hectares of land and is inhabited mainly by Atayal people. It encompasses four villages in northern Taiwan: Wulai, in Taipei County; Fuhsing, in Taoyuan County; Chienshih, in Hsinchu County; and Tatung, Ilan County.
The park, with Mount Chilan in Ilan County as its primary landmark, also boasts Asia's only virgin cypress forest and rare natural ecology dating back 2,000 years.
Saying the proposed park was contrary to President Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) promise made in an agreement that was signed with the nation's Aborigines, the protesters voiced opposition to the park and urged Chen to deliver his promise of autonomy for Aborigines instead.
The protesters were referring to the agreement entitled, "A New Partnership Between the Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Taiwan," which Chen signed in 1999 when he was still a candidate running for the presidency.
The agreement aims to promote an autonomous region for Aborigines as well as other rights, such as resource use and land ownership.
"According to the agreement's seventh article, it clearly states that [Chen] will work to promote the autonomy of aboriginal peoples and retrocede the aboriginal people's ownership of the land," China said.
"Why now the proposed park that goes against [Chen's promise] in pushing for an autonomous region for Aborigines?"
Chin said the establishment of the proposed national park would only bring gains to special-interest groups, while the area's Aborigines would remain as poor as ever.
Noting that the park's proposal only mentions Aborigines when it comes to employment quotas, Chin questioned how much say they would really have in joint management mechanisms with the government.
The protesters called for the return of tribal areas to their traditional owners and proposed that the park be turned into an autonomous region for Aborigines instead.
Premier Yu Shyi-kun said the government's stance on the establishment of the Makao National Park is clear.
"We'll establish the park since it's President Chen's campaign promise," Yu said. "Establishment of the park is necessary because it's important to protect Chinese cypress trees flourishing in the area."
But the government will respect the interests of Aborigines, Yu said, especially when it comes to job opportunities and the management of the park.
"We'll keep negotiating with lawmakers and local indigenous people to let them know better about our plans," Yu said.
Minister without Portfolio Lin Sheng-feng (
"But more details need to be worked out, especially with regard to how much power the autonomous region should enjoy," Lin said. "I believe many would agree with me that conservation is the most important thing."
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