Vice President Chen Chien-jen led the representatives of the five central government branches and relevant ministries to attend the 2020 presidential tree planting event of the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, R.O.C. on the Dadu Plateau in Taichung this morning (12th). He personally planted endemic tree species from central Taiwan to promote urban afforestation and native plant restoration. In the presence of the distinguished guests, local residents, as well as the teachers and students of Dayang Elementary School, native Taiwanese tree species were planted together in Dayang Oil Depot Recreation Park, Qingshui District, Taichung City. At the same time, it echoed the theme of this year's United Nations International Day of Forests, "Forests and Biodiversity", through the creation of native forest vegetation and promoting actions to protect forests and increase ecological diversity. The Forestry Bureau pointed out that the significance of this year's Arbor Day is to announce the restoration of endemic tree species and to carry out tree maintenance work such as pruning, vine removal, and soil environment improvement for the remaining trees to enhance forest health. Such restoration and management optimize the ecosystem, beautify the landscape, and improve carbon sequestration, and the tree planting ceremony may, it is hoped, spur others to contribute on their own. Vice President Chen Chien-jen said that in recent years, global climate change has been intensifying. From the forest fires caused by high temperatures and droughts in Australia, it can be seen that the frequency of various extreme weather events is increasing and that we cannot remain uninvolved in the face of environmental disasters. The Dadu Plateau, the site chosen for this year's tree planting ceremony, had become easily-flammable grassland due to artificial reclamation and the introduction of Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) in its early days. The area suffered from multiple wildfires which affected safety and quality of life of the local communities. To prevent fires, the Forestry Bureau set up forest firebreaks and forest fire prevention water towers for disaster prevention and relief. Since 2012, the Forestry Bureau has also begun the afforestation and restoration of 8.85 hectares of land, restoring native tree species, rehabilitating the forest environment, and protecting the home of the local residents. Trees in cities are not only an important part of the urban landscape, but also serve as the lungs of the city, since they help regulate ambient temperature and provide fresh air. The Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture stated that this year's (2020) tree planting month will take "Tree Protection, Urban Forest" as its theme and "Living with Forests" as its slogan, to continue with the spirit of the Satoyama Initiative begun in 2010 and the Taiwan Ecological Network launched in 2017. It calls on the people to also take into account the survival and sustainable development of the animals and plants of the land, while also focusing on economy and convenience, so as to achieve a positive cycle of coexistence and co-prosperity between humans and nature. In response to the main theme of Urban Forest, the location next to the Dayang Oil Depot Recreation Park and Dayang Elementary School in the Taichung metropolitan area was chosen as this year's tree planting site. Teachers and students were connected with local residents to create an urban ecological environment, helping to establish large-treed gathering places within the city. In addition, it helps to integrate the values of tree planting and accessible forests into daily life, and everyone is encouraged to do their share to create a high-quality living environment. In today's tree planting event, the folk choir ensemble from Dayang Elementary School and the indigenous singer Sangpuy (Sangpuy Katatepan Mavaliyw), winner of three Golden Melody awards, were specially invited to perform, along with the performance of the Chio-Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troupe from Taichung. All of the performers symbolized the cooperation of multiple ethnic groups and generations. The songs and drum beats conveyed the beauty of nature and humanity coming together, and awakened people's drive and resolve to be a guardian to the land. They allow more people to realize that "forest living" is not a minority issue, but a "sweet burden" that all generations and communities must face and shoulder together.
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