Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau deploys "Eagle Eye" inspectors to crack down on littering at highway interchanges

Nantou County Government has prioritized inspecting and fining litterbugs this year to maintain the county's image as a tourist destination. Director Fang Xinxiong said they mean business and will ensure strict enforcement. (Provided by Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau)

On the 4th, Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau declared that tackling littering at highway interchanges and maintaining cleanliness in public toilets at markets are top priorities for this year. (Photo by Shen Huisheng)

Nantou is boosting tourism, with many visitors on holidays. But the public's behavior has raised eyebrows—litter is strewn everywhere at National Freeways 3 and 6 interchanges during weekends. Concerned citizens can't stand it, several city councilors have raised the issue, and County Magistrate Lin Mingzhen also feels this situation severely damages Nantou’s image. On the 4th, the Environmental Protection Bureau solemnly announced that it will deploy "Eagle Eye" surveillance and enlist vigilant informants to leave no room for litterbugs to hide.

Director Fang Xinxiong of the Environmental Protection Bureau pointed out that starting now, staff will be stationed at interchanges and key areas, using surveillance footage and photos to issue citations. Each littering violation will be fined between NT$1,200 and NT$6,000 under the Waste Disposal Act, with individual cases ticketed. While fines are a last resort, they are the most direct and effective measure. Of course, the bureau hopes the public will voluntarily care for the environment.

It is understood that last June, the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau held a "Key Inspection Seminar on Environmental Messiness at Highway Interchanges and Road Safety Islands" to address the issue. They gathered heads of relevant road management authorities to discuss control timing, cleaning frequency, set up a LINE group network, and included the issue in the environmental cleanliness evaluation of township offices.

Starting in September, unannounced and irregular environmental inspections and covert surveillance were conducted at interchanges and connecting safety islands across the county. By the end of the year, over 10 video inspections and 30 site patrols had been carried out.

The Environmental Protection Bureau said that last year focused on testing, drills, and warnings, resulting in 12 citations from September to December. But this year is different—care for the environment, implementation of policies, and penalties where necessary will be strictly enforced.

To achieve its goal of becoming a tourism capital and in response to inquiries from the County Council about tourist littering, on the 4th, Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau, themed around “A New Year, A New Vision,” announced “Eagle Eye inspectors deployed, no more hiding for violators” and “Sparkling public toilets at markets, five-star shopping experience” as key focuses for the new year. Maintaining cleanliness at highway interchanges and market public toilets has been listed as a top priority.