Radio Taiwan International 
Date: 06 May, 2019
By: Jake Chen

Mount Hehuan. (CNA Photo)

The government recently halted a road expansion project on Mt. Hehuan, in central Taiwan. That’s after it drew strong criticism for damaging the natural ecology in the area.

The sight of an excavator digging through the side of Mount Hehuan has stunned environmentalists and local residents. Environmental groups have sounded the alarm on Facebook, saying that the local scenery and ecology cannot be artificially recreated once it’s destroyed.

The groups also cite Taiwan’s National Park Law, saying there are strict limits on developing an area like this. One environmentalist points out that the work has been going on for days, but they have not yet put up a sign to inform the public about what they are doing.

It turns out that the agency in charge of the project is the Directorate General of Highways. An official has responded to the public outcry, saying that the plan is to widen the road while fixing damage caused by natural disasters. He says it’s an emergency project and therefore does not require an environmental assessment.    [FULL  STORY]