The Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs places great importance on the protection of river environments and water resources. Every September, the agency launches the National River Day initiative. Today (25th), the Second River Management Office, as the central authority responsible for rivers in the Taoyuan-Hsinchu-Miaoli area, co-hosted the "2024 Youth Volunteer Service Activity - 'Together, Let’s Protect the River'" Touqian River cleanup event with the Hsinchu County Government's Department of Education. Additionally, Hsinchu County Deputy Magistrate Chen Jianxian attended the event to encourage the volunteers. Around 165 participants from Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Fenghu Community University, Panshi High School, World High School, Xinfeng Township Water Environment Protection Association, Xinfeng Community, Boluo Community, Zhonglun Community, and New Tang Technology Corporation joined the effort to clean up river debris.
This Touqian River cleanup event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) initiative. In addition to teaching theoretical knowledge about environmental sustainability, ICC data sheets were used to help students and participants understand the composition and sources of river debris, giving the cleanup activity deeper educational significance. Past ICC statistics show that about 80% of river debris is naturally occurring (e.g., dead wood, water hyacinth, animal carcasses), which, after decomposition by time and microorganisms, becomes part of the ecosystem. However, man-made waste (e.g., plastics, glass, metal products, cigarette butts) does not decompose and remains in place, causing long-term pollution and environmental degradation. Reducing the entry of man-made waste into rivers and preventing the generation of household waste would significantly benefit water and soil conservation.
Director Yang Renjie of the Second River Management Office explained that Touqian River, located at the border of Hsinchu County and City, is a central-managed river and a vital resource for drinking water, wildlife habitats, and recreation for the people of the Greater Hsinchu area. In coordination with the comprehensive planning for the Touqian River basin, the Second River Management Office has completed the Doulun and Liujia levee management projects along Xinglong Road in Zhubei City. The floodplain areas, planned by the Hsinchu County Government, now feature parks, green spaces, leisure cycling paths, baseball/softball fields, and landscaped grasslands, creating a model urban river environment. Through public collaboration with the Hsinchu County Government and educational institutions, it is hoped that more environmental education activities can be held. Furthermore, public-private partnerships will continue to maintain the surrounding environment with the help of riverside communities and volunteer groups. Private enterprises are also encouraged to adopt riverside green beautification projects, integrating ecological engineering, cultural environment, and social responsibility to achieve the vision of an "ecological river and sustainable environment" where humans and nature coexist.
Spokesperson for the Second River Management Office: Deputy Director Wang Wei
E-mail: wca02019@wra02.gov.tw
Office Phone: 03-6578866 ext. 2002
Mobile: 0912-255602
Event Organizer: Section Chief Zhang Quanzheng, Management Section
E-mail: wca02044@wra02.gov.tw
Office Phone: 03-6578866 ext. 3201
Mobile: 0930-998639