Dakeng Scenic Area is hailed as the “Yangmingshan of Taichung,” and its hiking trails are popular spots for fitness and leisure. To enhance the hiking experience, the Taichung City Government has promoted corporate adoption of trails, receiving strong support from businesses. The Tourism Bureau collaborated with the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Education Foundation to host an “Earth-Loving – Trail Cleanup” event on Dakeng Trail No. 9 during the holiday. Hundreds of enthusiastic participants cleared over 100 kilograms of trash in just three hours, aiming to promote the idea of taking trash off the mountain and raise environmental awareness to jointly preserve these beautiful hiking paths.
“Wow, the most common trash found on hiking trails turns out to be plastic bottles and drink cans!” During the cleanup at Dakeng hiking trails, the Tourism Bureau and the Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank Education Foundation discovered that hikers often bring drinks up the mountain but casually discard empty beverage bottles and cans along the trail, creating unsightly litter spots.
Dakeng hiking trails are popular, especially Trail No. 9, which sees a continuous stream of hikers and walkers during holidays. The Taichung City Government organizes annual volunteer cleanup events and promotes corporate adoption of the Dakeng hiking trails. With collaboration between public and private sectors, efforts are being made to maintain and preserve the area.
Chen Shengshan, Director of Taichung City’s Tourism Bureau, said that last year over 2 million people visited Dakeng for hiking. He encouraged all sectors to actively apply for the adoption of Dakeng hiking trails to help create a 100-kilometer network of well-maintained trails.
To provide the public with high-quality hiking environments, the city government is actively promoting corporate adoption of Dakeng hiking trails. This year, Sunlight Hot Spring Hotel and Liming Construction have jointly adopted Trail No. 10 and the junction platform between Trails No. 9 and 10.
In addition, Total Landmark Properties has adopted Trails No. 9 and 9-1. The city appreciates the enthusiastic response from businesses to environmental initiatives. With strong support from local enterprises, the trails have undergone active maintenance over the past two years.
As a result, Dakeng hiking trails are gradually regaining their natural beauty.
Chang Shih-pang, Associate Manager of the Central Taiwan Regional Center of Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank, said he hopes the cleanup event will strengthen public awareness of caring for the Earth, encouraging everyone to start with themselves in protecting the environment. He also called on hikers to remember to “take trash off the mountain” to collectively reduce pollution. Corporate social responsibility can have a significant environmental impact, making public welfare efforts even more meaningful.
“After a company’s application to adopt a Dakeng hiking trail is approved by the city government, it can install an adoption plaque on the trail, enhancing the company’s image,” said Liao Wei-chih, Director of Taichung City’s Scenic Area Management Office. In recent years, many private companies and organizations have organized cleanup activities on Dakeng hiking trails, and some have enthusiastically adopted trails to help maintain the environment. The city hopes to attract more businesses and individuals to join environmental protection efforts.
The Tourism Bureau is calling on businesses to join the adoption program. The Dakeng hiking trail adoption includes the trail itself and its associated facilities such as pavilions, rest platforms, restrooms, parking areas, and planted green spaces. Companies can apply based on the nature of the adoption target and choose maintenance tasks such as environmental cleaning, green space care, or facility repair. Adoption periods typically range from one to three years. Maintenance costs may also be tax-deductible, while also enhancing the company’s positive image—achieving multiple benefits at once.
(China Times)