"If we were to speak in terms of the rightful owners of the natural territory, none of us -- nor the Atayal Aborigines -- existed before these red and yellow cypress trees," he said. "We have no right to destroy the environment where they live."
Lee added: "The establishment of the Makao National Park is the outcome we've strived for for all these years. We all should cherish it, for it is a way for us to retain the vitality of the land and to preserve the area's biodiversity after 40 years of logging."
Echoing Chen's remarks, Adong Yupasu, secretary-general of the Association for Continuing Development of the Atayal Tribe, added that establishment of the Makao National Park would not run in conflict with the anti-Makao protesters' call for an autonomous region.
"Their call for an autonomous region has been reduced to a mere slogan, for they are asking for the instant establishment of autonomy, yet in order to have such a goal realized, there are many things that need to be set in place such as the need to amend all laws pertaining to autonomy," Adong Yupasu said.
"In comparison, the establishment of the Makao National Park needs no amendments to regulations and would allow us to take a gradual course that would lead to autonomy in the future," he said, explaining that continued development of the Atayal culture and livelihood would be able to be preserved, as people are trained to manage the park and local Aborigines' economical status greatly improves due to their ownership and management of related national park establishments such as customer service centers, entertainment parks, recreation centers and tourist resting stations.
Gaining recognition
The Aboriginal activist said it is through the demonstration and incorporation of wisdom and experience gained by Aborigines over thousands of years into the management of the park and relevant regulations that Aborigines will be able to gain recognition.
"The establishment of the Makao National Park is different from any previous national park," he added. "Before, there was no way for Aboriginal people to voice our opinion on national parks but the government now is more inclined to respect Aboriginal rights and thus provide channels to communicate with us and take into account our considerations."
Chen Yueh-fong said: "To protect these rare cypress is the best gift we could leave for our future generations. For where will there be Aboriginal culture if there is no more primitive forest about?"
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