The Ministry of National Defense yesterday sought to allay environmentalists’ concerns that plans to turn a military arsenal in Taipei City into a national biochemistry research park would destroy a natural habitat.
Under the ministry’s plan, Arsenal 202 in Nangang (南港) will be removed and part of the land will be bulldozed to make way for the proposed biochemistry research park.
This has sparked concerns from environmental protection groups, as the 185-hectare site, next to Four Beast Mountain (四獸山), has become an important habitat for rare species such as the Formosan blue magpie and different species of eagle.
As the place is under the military’s control and is a prohibited zone, it has become a haven for these creatures, they said.
The three ponds on the site not only contribute to the beautiful scenery, but are also ideal natural habitats for a wide variety of aquatic plants and waterbirds.
Environmentalists are concerned the habitat might disappear after construction of the biochemistry park begins next year, and called on the government to build a nature park instead.
Apart from the natural scenery and ecology, the site is also rich in history and culture. The centuries-old cemetery of a senior Qing Dynasty official, an ancient arsenal and three temples built centuries ago can be found in the complex.
Ministry spokesman Yu Sy-tue (虞思祖) said yesterday that the proposed national biochemistry park, part of Academia Sinica, will only occupy 25 hectares, with construction affecting only 9 hectares of land.
The government has not decided how to use the rest of the land, Yu said.
Ministry sources said only 35 percent of the area is suitable for construction, as the topography of the rest of the land is mostly hills and gorges.
Academia Sinica has placed importance on building the first advanced national biochemistry research park.
The ministry’s Armaments Bureau is scheduled to hand over the 25.5 hectares of land to Academia Sinica next year.
An Academia Sinica spokesman said that less than 10 hectares of land to be allocated by the minitry would be used to build the planned biotech research park, while the remainder would be developed into a recreational area.
The institution will aim for low-impact development of the land so it would not spoil the natural environment, the spokesman said.
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