The Water Resources Agency (WRA) has teamed up with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to promote the “Zhuoshui River Dust Control and Improvement Action Plan” and the “Tree Planting Legacy Program”. From 2024 to 2027, the initiative aims to green the exposed riverbed areas at No. 40 Dazhuang levee in Lunbei Township and No. 8 Xucuo Liao levee in Mailiao Township. By combining successful dust control experience with corporate social responsibility, the project seeks to expand the effectiveness of long-term windbreak and sand prevention techniques, create a biodiversity-rich forest belt, improve the condition of exposed riverbeds, and protect residents along the river from windblown dust hazards.
TSMC is responsible for submitting the afforestation plan, while the Fourth River Management Office coordinates land use and identifies high-risk dust-prone areas for reforestation. One site will become a scenic green recreational forest in Lunbei’s highland area, while the other will continue long-term maintenance in the greened zones A and B at the Mailiao river mouth. The plan includes planting 7,300 saplings of over 20 species known for wind and drought resistance, strong regenerative capacity, and dust-suppression properties—covering a total green area of 15 hectares.
Throughout implementation, the Fourth River Management Office has provided site-specific strategies and administrative support. TSMC is carrying out planting, straw mulching, and bamboo fencing to ensure seedling survival. In past storms, the planting sites suffered from flooding, road collapses, and power outages. The River Office stepped in with emergency repairs to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.
To support the corporate afforestation project, the Fourth River Office and WRA co-hosted a tree-planting event on March 28 with TSMC titled “Public-Private Partnership for Dust Control: If Not Us, Who?” Employees from both organizations planted saplings at the Lunbei site, creating a 3.5-hectare cultural landscape inspired by the local Zhao’an Hakka lion head and Lunbei’s signature muskmelon net patterns. The site is expected to become a green maze and serve as a model for environmental education.
Additionally, WRA and TSMC exchanged commemorative gifts—TSMC offered its “Jimi” honey jam, while WRA presented Zhuoshui River windbreak tote bags and “Wind Without Sand” promotional items. Although wind speeds on the day didn’t reach the official dust warning threshold, participants still experienced the effects of fine airborne sand. The event continued in the afternoon with a levee-cleaning competition at the No. 8 levee in Mailiao, held at the now fully greened Xucuoliao Ecological Park—highlighting the significance and potential of long-term construction methods in dust control.
“Plant a tree today, and it will shield you from wind and sand tomorrow.” This has become the slogan of the Zhuoshui River windbreak belt. Through this public-private partnership, the project hopes to leverage corporate influence to foster public support, root dust control efforts deeply in the region, and become a model for environmental education.