Due to the rapid
increase in population and of economic development, the ecology and
natural environment of Taiwan have been gradually damaged by various
pollution problems threatening public health and living environment,
To maintain citizens' living environment and health, in addition to
cracking down on pollutant emissions the Provincial Government is
implementing "emission permits" as an active preventive
measure. At the same time, efforts are being made to strengthen
waste disposal, prevent water and air pollution, control noise and
toxic materials, keep the environment clean, boost environmental
protection regulations, improve environmental monitoring equipment,
promote greening and beautification drives, and strengthen ecological
conservation, The government has also taken measures to solve the
problems of urban garbage dumping, established an environmental
evaluation system, enhanced propaganda and education, and improved
the organization and quality of government environmental protection
works.
As a result of population increase and rapid industrial development, the nature and quantity of garbage and waste have changed considerably from former times. If not properly disposed of, garbage and waste may become public hazards.
The government has been disposing of garbage through sanitary burial and incineration while promoting the sorting out of different kinds of garbage to facilitate disposal. In line with the Executive Yuan's proposals for urban waste disposal and Taiwan Province's phase 2 waste disposal plan, the Provincial Government plans to construct 75 hygienic waste burial sites and 16 garbage incinerators between 1991 and 1996, by which time the rate of garbage disposal will have risen from the present 57.9% to 88.6%. It has urged industries to reduce the amount of waste, tightened control over industrial waste and disposal, and promoted the idea of recycling and the handling of disposal by certified private agencies. In addition, efforts have been made to promote research into the feasibility of using hard-pressed garbage to reclaim coastal land. Taiwan produced an average of 1.1O kilograms of garbage per person per day and the collection rate reached 98% in fiscal year 1994.
In order to strengthen pollution prevention in Taiwan's rivers, the Provincial Government has drawn up a phased water pollution prevention plan which fully utilizes existing manpower and financial resources. Under new "flowing water management" and "industrial waste water management" strategies, county and city governments will be responsible for promoting river pollution cleanup measures; long-term general clean-up plans will apply to selected rivers, such as the Kaoping River and Tungkang River, which are important water resources; and efforts will be made to boost improvement of industrial effluent and livestock effluent, with the establishment of dedicated zones to assist raisers of hogs and ducks to collectively improve their processing of waste water, with the aim of improving the water quality of Taiwan's rivers and ensuring the cleanliness, safety and continued availability of water resources.
Main sources of noise pollution are factories, commercial and amusement establishments, construction sites, motor vehicles, airplanes, firecrackers, and noisy events such as weddings and funeral processions. The government has set standards for noise levels in different kinds of areas, boosted noise controls, prohibited behavior that disturbs the peace, ameliorated the effects of noise around airports and highways to maintain a quiet environment, and established a noise monitoring system, the goal being to bring noise under control and to retain a quiet living environment for the people.
Emphasis is on strengthening control over the transportation, storage and use of toxic materials, chemical hazard prevention and disaster containment, and soil pollution investigation and monitoring, in order to ensure public safety.
The government is determined to eliminate filth and maintain a clean living environment in government offices, schools, public places, and residential areas.
The government's main goals are to conserve and foster green resources, boost protection of existing greening achievements, carry out greening of urban and country roads, culverts, parks, garbage disposal plants, farms, work sites and other exposed areas, and to raise the quality of greening.
The government pushes the beautification of residential communities, campuses, and government offices in order to upgrade the quality of the living environment.
The government's main goals are to conserve the natural environment and natural resources and to protect rare animals and plants to ensure a balanced ecology. Twenty-five forest conservation zones (including Mt. Takuan and Mt. Hsuehpa) have been designated for their distinctive ecology; 18 nature conservation zones (including Mt. Yon and Mt. Tawu), three wild animal protection zones (Mao Islet, Nantzuhsien River and Wuwei Harbor) and 11 rare plant species (including Cycas taiwaniana and Amentotaxus formosana) have been listed under cultural heritage protection laws and wild animal protection laws for conservation and academic research purposes. To stamp out the hunting, slaughter, trade, processing and illicit sale of wild animals, the Council of Agriculture has set up an interdepartmental task force to supervise protection of wild animals, and related groups in each county and city carry out regular monthly or irregular inspections to track down violators. Education and publicity drives are also aimed at ensuring the continued survival of wild animals. To protect mineral resources, mining regulations are rigorously applied to ensure water and soil protection and safeguard the environment.