Dawo Creek in Dahu Township is home to endemic shrimp and fish species like Formosan stripe dace and Taiwan shoveljaw carp. Such a healthy state of affairs stands in stark contrast to pre-2001 when the waterway was filled with chemicals and trash.
For the past 13 years, Miaoli County Government and local residents have worked hard to clean up the creek. This involved cracking down on illegal practices such as electrifying and poisoning fish, and removing empty polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and other sorts of rubbish.
“We are committed to protecting the township’s ecosystem,” a Miaoli County Government official said. “No effort will be spared in preserving this important attraction and boosting biodiversity in the area.”
As a result of this undertaking, the waterway is attracting tourists from all over Taiwan. More than 10,000 visits were made from mid-April to mid-May during the county’s firefly and tung blossom seasons.
“We are pleased the creek has returned to a pristine state,” the official said. “Rest assured, the local government and residents will continue protecting this valuable environmental asset for generations to come.” (DF-JSM)
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