To maintain and protect water-catchment areas of the forest, keeping them intact and stable, reduce landslide and collapse, and prevent soil erosion so as to minimize flooding and prolong the life of reservoirs, the Forestry Bureau will continue to manage and revitalize national forest lands to arrive at stabilizing the water catchment areas of the forests.

This work is based on the comprehensive managing concept for water-catchment areas, giving priority during implementation depending on the importance and urgency as well as on framework of eco-engineering, dealing with collapsed land in wooded areas, soil erosion prevention and flood prevention, sudden disaster management, and maintenance and reinforcement work to prevent soil erosion, rock collapse, landslide and overflowing of rivers, all endangering forest land stability. In addition to preventing collapse and washing away of national forest lands, seeing to it that the downward flow of soil and rocks is controlled because it causes the riverbed to rise, reducing flooding, soil erosion and landslide, seeing to the safety of the people and public facilities, and prolonging the life of the reservoir. In addition, ecological environment protection concept is taken in the direction of natural ecology protection and conservation implementation. Caring about ecology includes having a well-rounded management concept and plan regarding the diverse life forms, even to the extent of mountain management for disaster prevention as well as ecological environment protection.

Implementation and Execution:

1. At bare lands on the verge of collapse, cracked land, collapsed land, and land sliding to the ground, where it is difficult to plant and carry out vegetation, cracked land administration work plus vegetation growing work towards complete greening.
2. Within the forest area, wild creek, and ditch, soil erosion and flood prevention work to adjust soil and sand from moving downward.
3. At areas of potentially dangerous creeks due to soil erosion and landslide, carry out work against soil erosion and landslide to reduce disastrous outcome.
4. Introduce eco-engineering work in mountain management and disaster prevention work; on the one hand, it helps ecological management and conservation; on the other hand, it supports leisure and recreation development, bringing about the multiple functions of mountain management and disaster prevention.

Forest path serves as the primary artery of forest management. It has its role in forest operation, forestry management and forest conservation. It provides the important transportation route to the forestry recreational area and national park. Therefore, the benchmarks of forest operation help tell if the forest paths are smooth, effective and of great contribution to forest management.

The mode of forest operation has already changed from forest resource operation to primarily multi-purpose and sustainable use of forest ecology management; therefore, the building of forest paths has to be adjusted to conform to changes in the forest operation. The Bureau has stopped opening new forest paths after logging stopped in 1982, and previously existing 140 paths measuring 2,639.9 km, as a result of the complete survey in 1998, will be retained to serve the needs of forestry business operators. The rest will be closed for forestation purpose.

Presently, 85 forest paths measuring 2,939.9 km in length, are being used, and they are classified according to their importance. Paths linking the forest recreational area to roads outside and those leading to the central forestation area are prioritized. There are 16 paths in all. Those connecting the forest recreational area to roads outside are: Dongyan Mountain, and Dalu Forest Path, Daguan Mountain, Dasyue Mountain, Basian Mountain, Aowanda Mountain, Jhu Mountain, Tengjhih, Shuangliou, Yijhuang, and Cueifong forest paths; needs for regular forest plantation and forest management will be considered second priority, such as Luoshan forest path and a total of 41 paths. The needs for forest patrol are met by regular forest paths, such as Shueitian forest path, and a total of 28 paths.

Forest protection has specific public welfare as reason behind it. Forests through the trees and leaves help retain rain water, covering the land to minimize soil erosion and protecting the land. Trees also grow downward and their deepening roots firm up the soil and rock on the ground and help retain water. As for forestation in the coastal areas, the trees stand as block against the assault of strong winds and ocean salt, achieving anti-wind and anti-humidity result.

Presently, 11 categories are listed under protection forests, the water conservation forest and the soil conservation forest are in great measure. The two kinds of protecting forests make up 94% of the forests. As for the remaining 6 %, they fall under nine categories, functioning against airborne sand, wind, landscape and water damage prevention, tidal destruction prevention, falling rock prevention, fishery, hygiene and health enhancement, and natural conservation.

To cope with the deteriorating global environment, as a result of the excessive use of the land by mankind, occurrences of water and soil disaster are being repeated. In recent years, many people in Taiwan have either witnessed or experienced these terrifying tragedies. Therefore, they have realized the importance of forest in helping to conserve water, firm up the soil, protect against wind, and fortify soil. Thus, having sufficient protecting forests to manage helps reduce the occurrence and risk of natural disasters. They bring into full play the protection of homeland and its security, and they safeguard the life and property of the people.