Some of the most beautiful walks in Taiwan wind through K'enting National Park, a scenic plant and animal sanctuary on the southernmost tip of the island. Established on September 1,1982 as a protected area, the park stands as the first milestone in a long-range government plan to preserve the natural treasures of the island.

Establishment of the park marks a new era in government planning, in which major investment will be made to preserve and protect areas of natural beauty. This is the first time that authorities on Taiwan have emphasized environmental protection of one particular area, and have set four long-term goals. The first is to attract tourists. The park is a major economic investment and like other parks will offer open areas for tourists, with clearly-marked paths, refreshment and rest areas and information and activity centers. But in keeping with the concept of a national park, the other three goals of preservation, research and education are even more important. It is hoped that the park can be used to educate Taiwan's citizens about their natural environment and promote more travel to these areas. Thus people will be able to see for themselves the value and necessity of protecting their most precious resource, the natural environment.

K'enting National Park covering an area of 32,631 hectares, of which 17,731 is land mass, lies on the Hengch'un peninsula in the extreme south of Taiwan. This area is Taiwan's only true "tropical zone" and has the warmest climate on the island. Even during the winter months of January and February the average temperature is 20.7 degrees Celsius (70.2 degrees fahrenheit). Coupled with ample rainfall and one of the sunniest climates in Taiwan. the peninsula has the most abundant and varied flora and fauna on the island. The peninsula also boasts unique geological formations and the surrounding warm waters abound in coral reefs.

The government's ten-year plan for the park carries a budget of $280,000,000 New Taiwan Dollars. Shih Meng-hsiung, Park Administrator, stresses that long-range planning is needed to accommodate the growing tourist flow. Modern hotel facilities will be constructed, as well as ticket and travel service centers, restaurants and various activity centers, such as a proposed glass-bottom boat service to give tourists a firsthand look at the beauty of a coral reef. Complete information will also be available on areas where tourists can obtain maps and directions, as well as slides. films and factual books about the plant and animal life of the area. The need for such detailed planning is evidenced by these statistics; on New Years Day (January lst), there were more than 165 buses, and l,500 family cars that travelled to the area. During the Chinese New Year holiday more than 180,000 people flocked to the park and it is projected that this year the area will draw about 2,000,000 visitors. Therefore additional facilities are very much needed.

President Chiang Ching-kuo travelled to the Hengch'un Peninsula in 1977, and, upon his return, took immediate action to protect and preserve the area. He told the Executive Yuan that large-scale investment and planning should be effected to make the region a protected area. In 1981, the Home Administration invited experts in park and environmental planning to assist in organization of the national park scheme. The team spent one year investigating the plant and animal life in the area, as well as the geology, climate and natural ecology of the entire peninsula. Facts gathered through the investigation helped to define the final shape of the park.

In January of this year, Shih Meng-hsiung took over as the park administrator. He points out that the Nanjenshan area of the park is a good example of the government's intentions in founding the park. One of the peninsula's more inaccessible areas, it boasts some of the rarest plant and animal species on the island. This region is marked by hilly, broken terrain that rises to 500 meters. The total area is only 50 square kilometers but within its boundaries are more than 2,200 types of plants. This amounts to 1/32 of the world total. Included among these are such rare types as wild peony, banyans, and other species. The location of the park in south Taiwan gives it the added advantage of being in a zone of convergence, between the tropical zone of the Indo-Malay region and the more temperate region of China, Japan and Korea. Therefore the park abounds in many tropic and temperate zone flora. A trip through the forests of the Nanjenshan is very educational, and while it is not so comfortable as a garden stroll one can see many strange and fascinating plants. The Hongtou (red bean) tree, coral trees and poinsettia, all are identifiable species. The Hongtou is especially interesting because its leaves have needle-like growths which are an effective remedy in treating the bites of poisonous snakes.

Wildlife in the National Park includes Taiwan's only native species of monkey, wild deer (designated as one of the world's most endangered species by the World Wildlife Federation) and at least ten other species of mammals, such as the wild pig, red squirrel and rabbit. The protected hills of the park are also home to many varieties of birds and therefore the park has fast become a bird watchers haven. There are at least 60 native species, such as the yellow oriole and the skylark. The area is also the winter home of 50 species of migratory birds from Siberia, Japan and the northern China mainland. In addition, the park is home to many insect and reptile species, with 1/3 of Taiwan's identifible butterfly species.

Besides the protected area of Nanjenshan, the park's boundaries also include the more open areas that have been designated as tourist spots. While these spots may be more familiar to the visitor, they are still well worth a visit. Visitors to K'enting often arrive via a new four-lane highway winding south from the city of Kaohsiung to Fengkang. This lovely ride meanders through small farming hamlets shaded by coconut groves with gently swaying trees. Passengers travelling the coastline are charmed by the romantic atmosphere, much like that of a south seas island. with tropical vegetation, aquamarine waters and warm, splashing waves.

The waters surrounding the peninsula abound in coral reefs, and the geology of the region has been greatly shaped by the action of wind and wave erosion. Coral rocks in interesting shapes lie scattered along the coast, and local residents have given them appropriate names, such as Shihniushan (stone buffalo mountain) and Ch'ing-washih (frog rock). Maobitou (cats nose) and Oluanbi are the two most famous tourist spots in the national park region.

Maobitou is a large, coral cliff that has slowly eroded to the point that it resembles the face of a cat. The base of the cliff is riddled with potholes and small caves. The water is clear and filled with abundant marine life. Visitors to Maobitou are soothed by a feeling of inner peace as they stand quietly listening to the sound of waves breaking and welling into the caves.

Oluanbi is a chunk of land jutting out into the ocean almost parallel to Maobitou. It is the most southerly point on Taiwan, and is the site of a towering white lighthouse known as the "Light of East Asia", standing 18 meters tall. Some say that on a clear day, the northern islands of the neighbouring Philippine archipelago can be seen across the waters of the Bashi channel. From one perspective, Maobitou and Oluanbi can be seen as the claws of a huge crab cradling a long, broken strip of fine sand beaches. This is the area called Nanwan, or South Bay, and at certain times of the year, lucky beachcombers can glimpse passing pods of the rare sperm whale swimming through the waters of the Bashi Channel. Sunbathers and swimmers flock to the protected waters of the bay all year round, drawn by the balmy weather and clear waters.

K'enting Gardens lie nestled in the hills above the Nanwan. They were established during the days of the Japanese occupation. Miles of well-marked trails extend through rain forests, colorful flower gardens and open greenhouses which display myriads of unusual orchids, and other tropical blossoms.

The National Park Concept supports the preservation of the country's geographic, geological and plant and animal resources in their natural and original state. Visitors are encouraged to come to the park to learn more about Taiwan's natural environment, but are limited by severe restrictions intended to protect the area. Open and unlimited tourist traffic is limited to the areas such as Maobitou, Oluanbi and the K'enting public garden. The other areas such as the Nanjenshan area are designated as protected regions and as such are strictly controlled.

People must be educated to appreciate the importance of environmental protection, Shih Meng-hsuing stressed, if the ideals of the national park concept are to be realized. People in Taiwan, he explained, lack concern for preservation of natural resources; both tourists and local residents indiscriminately pocket shells and coral and carry off rare plant and animal life. The thoughtless littering of park and beach areas is also a serious problem which could lead to serious damage, especially to those more sensitive areas like the fragile coral reefs. But this can hopefully be corrected through supervision of the park by knowledgeable park guides and employees. Presently, information officiers are undergoing intensive training so they can explain the rules to visitors. The park employees all reflect the movement of the park spirit. They are, on the average young, and have educational backgrounds in park-related fields like biology, forestry and ecological studies.

As mentioned before, K'enting is just the first step in the development of parks and protected areas around the island. Also completed or in the planning stages are national parks at Yushan (Mt. Morrison), Yangmingshan, and T'ailuko. The parks will not only serve as plant and wildlife sanctuaries but also stand as living classrooms for the citizens of Taiwan. By visiting these parks, the average citizen can experience the wonders of nature and learn that it is better to protect and preserve this beauty.

The spirit of K'enting National Park is perhaps best summed up in the idea expressed by Shih Meng-hsiung and his staff members. All visitors to the park upon leaving should feel: We should let the birds fly freely, the fish swim, the flowers bloom and the forests grow. Protection is a long term challenge, Shih Meng-hsiung admits, but if the success in establishing K'enting National Park is any example, this goal can surely be achieved.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1. Set against the beautiful hues of a dusk sky, the lighthouse at Oluanbi throws its beam across the waters of the Bashi Channel. 2. The rocky. coral coastline of Maobitou.

1. Single span bridge that leads to the scenic Chialeshui. 2. Newly surfaced four lane highway that extends from P'ingtung to Oluanbi. 3. The rugged coastline of the K'enting National Park. The breaking waves and brilliant sun create beautiful rainbows.

1. The countless eons of wind and wave erosion have shaped intriguing coral rock formations. 2. Another view of the beautiful coastline.

1. Breaking waves cast a silver spray against the shore rocks. 2. Only the footprints of a lone beachcomber disturb the wide expanse of beach at South Bay. 3. The area around Ch'ingwa (frog rock), suggests a primitive, tropical atmosphere.

1. K'enting National Park Director Shih Meng-hsiung points out that the Nanjenshan region of the park is home to several rare types of plant life. 2. Italics, a small but extremely rare plant, grows in the protected realm of Nanjenshan.3. A stone marker in the Nanjenshan area also is classified as a protected relice. 4. A small lake in the Nanjenshan area and, 5. two buffalos forage in a marsh. 6. The twisted and coiling roots of a knarled Banyan tree. 7. The strange root formation of the Yinyen tree, one of Taiwan's rarest species of tropical plant life.

1,2,3. K'enting's undersea scenery is also without rival. 1. Potamilla Leptuchaeta, With its fusion of colors resembles a brilliant firework display. 2. The rich and varied life on a coral reef. 3. A school of mullet flashes through the water. 4. The Syzygium Kusukusense Mori, another of the rare plants found in the Nanjenshan area. 5. The blossom of the Barringtonia Asiatica is delicately beautiful.

1. The wind blown sand dunes of the coast resemble a desert scene. 2. Millions of years of natural forces shaped these Stalactites, so careful protection is necessary to preserve their primitive beauty.

2. The rocky. coral coastline of Maobitou.

1. Single span bridge that leads to the scenic Chialeshui.

2. Newly surfaced four lane highway that extends from P'ingtung to Oluanbi.

3. The rugged coastline of the K'enting National Park. The breaking waves and brilliant sun create beautiful rainbows.

1. The countless eons of wind and wave erosion have shaped intriguing coral rock formations.

2. Another view of the beautiful coastline.

1. Breaking waves cast a silver spray against the shore rocks.

2. Only the footprints of a lone beachcomber disturb the wide expanse of beach at South Bay.

3. The area around Ch'ingwa （frog rock）, suggests a primitive, tropical atmosphere.

3. The area around Ch'ingwa （frog rock）, suggests a primitive, tropical atmosphere.

1. K'enting National Park Director Shih Meng-hsiung points out that the Nanjenshan region of the park is home to several rare types of plant life.

1. K'enting National Park Director Shih Meng-hsiung points out that the Nanjenshan region of the park is home to several rare types of plant life.

3. A stone marker in the Nanjenshan area also is classified as a protected relice.

4. A small lake in the Nanjenshan area and.

5. two buffalos forage in a marsh.

6. The twisted and coiling roots of a knarled Banyan tree.

7. The strange root formation of the Yinyen tree, one of Taiwan's rarest species of tropical plant life.

1,2,3. K'enting's undersea scenery is also without rival. 1. Potamilla Leptuchaeta, With its fusion of colors resembles a brilliant firework display.

2. The rich and varied life on a coral reef.

3. A school of mullet flashes through the water.

4. The Syzygium Kusukusense Mori, another of the rare plants found in the Nanjenshan area.

5. The blossom of the Barringtonia Asiatica is delicately beautiful.