What Are Protection Forests?
Protection forest means exactly what the name suggests: a forest that safeguards our safety and wellbeing. Established under Articles 22 and 23 of the Forestry Act, these forests are much more than beautiful green landscapes. They serve an important public purpose. Taiwan’s forest coverage is about 60.71%. About 22% of that, which includes 524 sites covering around 470,000 hectares, are designated as protection forests. Their role is to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, regulate climate, protect biodiversity, and beautify the environment. They are our indispensable green shield.
Different Types of Protection Forests
Since the Japanese colonial period, Taiwan has classified protection forests according to their functions. Today, there are 11 categories, with two types being the most common: water resource conservation and soil erosion prevention. Together, they make up 94% of all protection forests, covering about 440,000 hectares. Their primary role is to help maintain water resources and stabilize the soil. The other nine types serve different purposes, including preventing flying sand, shielding against strong winds, protecting scenic areas, reducing the risks of floods, tidal damage, and falling rocks, as well as supporting fisheries, biodiversity conservation, and public health.
Where Can You Find Them?
Protection forests are everywhere, even in places you might not expect. Well-known sites such as Elephant Mountain, Sun Moon Lake, Huoyanshan, Gaomei Wetlands, Yuguang Island, Wuweigang Waterbird Refuge, Guishan Island (Turtle Island), Liyu Lake, Tamsui Mangroves, and Banpingshan (Mount Banping) all include designated protection forests. Whether along eroding coasts, windy villages, steep road slopes, reservoir catchments, important fisheries, or fragile habitats and valuable natural landscapes, these forests quietly guard both people and ecosystems.
Giving Forests a Name
For decades, protection forests were identified only by four-digit numbers, cold and impersonal codes. To bring these forests closer to people, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency launched a naming campaign in 2019, inviting local residents to choose names themselves. These names are more than simple labels; they carry local history, collective memory, and emotional connection. Each name reflects community identity and care, awakening shared memories while embodying hopes for protection. In this way, protection forests become not only part of the landscape but also part of cultural heritage to be remembered and cherished.
Shared the Benefits of Protection Forests
In the past, many people saw protection forests as strictly regulated, off-limits places - distant and unapproachable, with little sense of what they meant for daily life. To change this perception, and with the vision of living in harmony with nature, we have worked to uncover the stories of how these forests interact with surrounding communities and to build closer ties with local residents. Through public–private collaboration, protection forests are no longer just green barriers seen from afar, but natural resources that everyone can share, protect, and cherish together.
Protecting the Coastline
Taiwan’s coastline is home to 117 protection forests, covering around 7,640 hectares and stretching more than 505 kilometers. Yet these beautiful coastal areas are often marred by drifting marine debris and discarded waste, which multiply after typhoons and tides. To help Taiwan live up to its name as the “Beautiful Island,” the Tribute to the Ocean initiative was launched to restore and care for coastal protection forests. By keeping them clean and well-maintained, the program creates inviting spaces for forest therapy, environmental education, and recreation.
Linking Ecology and Economy
While their primary purpose is to safeguard public interests, protection forests also hold potential for eco-tourism, forest therapy, and understory economy. This means that landowners or leaseholders can, in appropriate areas, engage in activities such as beekeeping or cultivating Taiwan mountain tea, bringing new vitality to nearby rural villages. These practices not only benefit local residents but also transform nature’s gifts into drivers of community prosperity, fostering the growth of a green economy. At the same time, they promote sustainable land use and encourage more people to join in protecting the forests.
A Key Part of the National Ecological Conservation Green Network
Protection forests are like nature’s “green highways,” serving as vital corridors in Taiwan’s ecological network. At present, there are 300 protection forests covering about 59,314 hectares, accounting for 12.6% of the total area. Positioned along regional conservation corridors, they not only provide habitats for biodiversity but also link ecosystems across the island, creating a connected and resilient natural landscape.
Everyone Has a Role to Play
The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency is actively collaborating with local governments, businesses, NGOs, and communities to co-manage protection forests. Through community forestry projects and corporate sponsorships, we are fostering public–private partnerships that strengthen forest stewardship. In addition, the Agency works with regional forest district offices to host a wide range of environmental education and outreach activities. These efforts help more people understand the ecological value, cultural history, and local connections of protection forests, nurturing a stronger sense of responsibility to protect them. As Jane Goodall once said: “Only if we understand, will we care. Only if we care, will we help.” Looking ahead, the Agency will continue to deepen cooperation with local communities, governments, and civic groups, building stronger networks of support. Our goal is to one day see communities themselves take the lead, ensuring that Protection Forests truly become a shared green home for all.
Suggested Gear for Visiting Protection Forests
- Lightweight, breathable long-sleeve shirt and pants
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection
- Mosquito repellent
- Eco-friendly utensils and reusable bag
- A small first-aid kit
- Rain gear
- A heart that loves nature
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