1. Beginning this year, the Forestry Bureau is assisting in the Doubling Tourists Plan [觀光客倍增計畫], part of the National Developments Plan – Challenge 2008 [挑戰二○○八－國家重點發展計畫], thus aggressively constructing the National Trail System, in order to let the numerous forest trails become avenues for experiencing nature, examining wildlife, understanding culture, increasing health, and providing leisure. The National Forest Trail System will integrate inhabited areas, roads, transit stations, other paths, cultural assets, and others as part of the system planning; making the Trail System the product, living environments and transit stations the advertising, and roads and other paths the connections. This structure is not limited to the Trail System itself, but rather a way to make the trails more accessible and more complete as a system for experiencing a complete environmental and leisure network, hoping to improve accessibility and use by the general public.
2. Actual construction details include:
i. Forming a system of management for the Trails, rules of use, maintenance system, and location, design, standards, and mapping of public service locations.
ii. Investigating the natural and cultural resources: A thorough research and investigation into the natural and cultural resources near such trails, and planning of resource management along the Trail System based on such data, in order to achieve sustainability.
iii. Blueprint of the National Forest Trail System: After the aforementioned evaluations, the actual trails are then planned.
iv. Constructing the Trail System: Selecting suitable material for the habitat and conforming to the principles of conservation to construct the Trail System. Also to provide or increase the educational explanations and tourist safety infrastructure.
v. Maintenance, Management and Monitoring: To maintain the trails in a state of good repair, to assure the safety of users, extend the lifespan of hardware, and monitor use data to make evaluations on trail usage.
vi. Construct databases and websites: Construct the Environment Education Database, and through websites and links provide a channel for information on tourism and education.
vii. Environmental education and public relations: Setup conferences and seminars to train guides in environmental education or cultural heritage, and create many educational activities and diverse tours. Also integrate village cultures to create a win-win scenario for villagers, environment and tourists alike.
viii. Public participation and trail adoption: Provide many channels for public participation, and promote cooperation among organizations. Also, through the Trail Adoption program, provide the public with a sense of ownership and enhance understanding of nature and environmental issues.
3. Through the development of the National Trail System, in coordination with related agencies, integrate natural leisure areas, and develop suitable tourism themes accordingly, in order to fully grow and nurture our natural and cultural resources while considering conservation, economic development and social welfare, thus achieving the dream of a new, greener Taiwan.