Fines for illegal parking, bringing pets into protected zones and setting off fireworks at Taroko National Park were raised yesterday, the Taroko Gorge National Park Administration Office said.
Penalties for illegal parking have increased from NT$600 to NT$1,500, with repeat offenses subject to fines of up to NT$3,000, it said.
Setting off fireworks, firecrackers, barbecuing or scattering joss paper or other items that pose safety risks would now result in fines of NT$3,000, up from NT$1,500.
Photo: Hua Meng-ching, Taipei Times
Bringing pets into ecological conservatories, heritage sites or special scenic areas — except for roadside stopovers — would incur a fine of NT$1,500, up from NT$600, with repeat offenses fined NT$3,000, the office said.
With the exception of villages, pets not contained in cages or otherwise restrained are prohibited in park areas and original use areas, which are defined under Article 8 of the National Park Act (國家公園法) as “the land and water areas in national parks which do not belong to other zoning areas, and are allowed to maintain original land and water use, including existing villages.”
The rules do not apply to certified guide animals, the office added.
The prohibited activities are aimed at protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable park management, the office said, adding that the goal of the fines is not punishment, but to encourage visitors to respect nature.
The public parking lot near Wuling (武嶺) is often used for cooking or partying by nighttime visitors returning from Hehuanshan (合歡山), it said.
Disturbances such as loud music, playing instruments or buzzers, camping, cooking, skiing on snow or grass, swimming, canyoning, canoeing, rock climbing and pitching tents outside designated areas, as well as taking aerial photographs without permission, are subject to fines of NT$1,500 for a first offense and NT$3,000 for repeat contraventions, it added.
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