After the devastation inflicted by last year's 921 Earthquake and the recent quake on May 17, the mountain cliffs along the Central Cross-Island Highway
German sociologist Ulrich Beck pointed out the concept of "sociology of risk." According to him, after human exploitation of natural resources in the pursuit of a convenient lifestyle becomes excessive, "risks," just like the exploited resources, will be redistributed back to human life.
The situation along the Central Cross-Island Highway best illustrates Beck's viewpoint. I propose closing off the mountains to meet the desperate need for mankind to befriend Mother Nature.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications
To deal with the fragile natural environment, we need to re-evaluate development of the region, the forests along the highway and the nearby Aboriginal communities. In addition, we need to engage in forestry conservation in the Central Range
Previous development of the area along the highway was aimed at increasing state revenues through logging and encouraging the cultivation of vegetables and fruits. However, times have changed and our country's development policies have shifted to the preservation of forests and water resources. With the impact of Taiwan's entry into the WTO, mountain crops will face greater challenges in the market.
Mudslides have also compounded the problem with the water quality of the Tachia River
Therefore, I propose that we shift our development goal for the area to one of environmental conservation. I also propose that we establish a core conservation area along the Central Mountain Range.
This goal is important ecologically -- to preserve both wildlife and underground water resources in a region that has undergone unrestrained water consumption in the name of economic development.
If the mountains are closed off, the local Aboriginal communities will be able to respect and follow their ancestors' harmonious existence with Mother Nature. I propose setting up autonomous regions for the Aborigines and increasing their job opportunities by providing budgets for forest rangers and conservation officers. Such a project would improve the social-economic status of the Aborigines.
The central government should encourage more cooperation among its policy-making bodies -- such as the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Ministry of the Interior, the Council of Agriculture and the Council of Aboriginal Affairs -- as well as the relavent county governments.
The central government should also comprehensively reevaluate relevant policies, including the National Land Planning Law
The goal is to restore to the Aborigines and the ecosystems of central Taiwan what is rightfully theirs and learn to face Mother Nature with humility.
As I watched the Aborigines hurriedly moved out of their villages after the earthquakes, I was reminded of the feelings I had when I saw the statute of a Native American on horseback at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. The Native American, his eyes looking empty, stretches his arms out toward the sky.
Facing the white men who came to buy his land, an Indian tribal chief once asked, "How can you buy or sell the sky and the warmth of the land? Since we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them from us?" These words linger in my mind.
Liao Yung-lai is Taichung County Commissioner.
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