The Ministry of the Interior announced today that the national single-entry portal for mountain climbing is expected to open by the end of June this year. In the future, individuals wishing to enter controlled mountainous areas will be able to apply for park entry, mountain access, and mountain hut services through the portal, making the process much more convenient. Additionally, the Ministry is reviewing current restricted mountain climbing routes and plans to gradually open these areas to the public after completing auxiliary facilities such as route signage, allowing easier access to mountainous regions.
The Ministry of the Interior stated that current mountain climbing services are scattered across different agencies. For example, the Construction and Planning Agency manages national parks, the Forestry Bureau oversees national forest recreation areas and also handles applications for mountain huts and lodges, while police authorities are responsible for mountain entry controls. To make mountain climbing more convenient for the public, the government has launched a system integration initiative, aiming to complete the construction of the single-entry portal before this summer. The portal will consolidate applications for mountain hut bookings, national park entries, and access to mountain-controlled areas, streamlining the application process for hikers.
The Ministry of the Interior pointed out that although an entry permit is still required to access mountain-controlled areas under the "National Security Act," a draft amendment has been reviewed and passed by the Legislative Yuan’s cross-party negotiations to remove the relevant provisions on mountain-controlled areas. The amendment is now in the third reading stage, and once the legislative process is completed, all measures related to mountain-controlled areas will be abolished.
The Ministry also noted that although the entry permit requirement will be lifted, due to ecological conservation and environmental carrying capacity considerations, those entering ecological protection zones within national parks must still apply for entry under Article 19 of the "National Park Act" and adhere to carrying capacity limits. However, to facilitate hiking activities, the application process will be simplified as much as possible.
The Ministry of the Interior explained that to ensure the public can enjoy safe and educational hiking experiences in national parks, for controlled mountainous areas damaged by natural disasters or where trails are unclear, staff from alpine national park management offices or collaborating professional mountaineering groups will promptly survey currently closed climbing routes. After completing safety auxiliary facilities such as trail signage, they will gradually consider opening these routes to experienced hikers with proper gear, making it easier for the public to access mountain areas.
The Ministry also reminded the public that outdoor activities carry inherent risks, and preparation before climbing is more important than rescue efforts afterward. Should accidents unfortunately occur, government agencies will spare no effort in rescue operations. However, to prevent the misuse of rescue resources and ensure hiker safety, some local governments have enacted ordinances imposing penalties for illegal entry into mountains. In cases where accidents occur and rescue resources are used, the individuals involved will be responsible for the rescue costs.
The Ministry emphasized that hiking trails in alpine national parks are classified by level, with different management principles applied according to the grade of the trail. When hiking, the public should assess their physical capabilities, prepare appropriate gear, choose suitable trails, and make thorough preparations to ensure a safe and enriching mountain hiking experience.
(China Times)