Three forest parks to open in next 3 years

During a briefing at the Executive Yuan on the COA's forest and recreation policy, Hu said that the government plans to establish 18 recreation parks, develop a nationwide system of walking trails, and set up eight nature education centers, in an effort to encourage the public to enjoy nature.

The country's many public forest recreation parks have been certified under the ISO9001 international quality management system, according to Hu.

Hu added that Guanwu National Forest Recreation Area between the northern counties of Hsinchu and Miaoli and Aowanda Forest Recreation Area in the central county of Nantou, which has been closed due to typhoon devastation, will be re-opened in July. Also, Songsyue Lodge in the Hehuanshan Forest Recreation Area will be open to tourists June 13, offering accommodation at the highest elevation in the country, he added.

To give children a chance to get closer to nature, the COA since 2007 has been promoting the establishment of nature education centers with the aim of creating the country's biggest platform for environmental education, Hu said.

The construction of three such centers in Chihpen in Taitung County, Shuangliu in Pingtung County and Chuko in Chiayi County is slated to be completed July, Hu said. This means that Taiwan will then have eight nature centers that will be able to accommodate 100,000 people per year, he added.

In addition, part of the COA's Web site is dedicated to forest recreation information and interactive services, according to Hu.

The forest and recreation policy is aimed at creating economic benefits, promoting health and boosting tourism, he added.

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