Study on the Characteristics of National Parks Administration and Evaluation on the Operation Situation of National Parks in Taiwan

Abstract

This study employs literature reviews, analysis of statistical data and interviews to top officials in Taiwanese government to elucidate the basic characteristics of administrative system of national park (NP) in Taiwan and evaluate the operation situation. Analysis of statistical data especially focused on the type of resource, area size, zoning classification, land ownerships, population, budget, human resources, and number of visitors. Interviews focused on the governance structures and implementation of NP plan. These results are critically analyzed by comparing with the situation of Japanese and American NP systems. From the analysis, this study clarifies that NP areas include approximately 10% of private lands hold by local community and indigenous people. Approximately 80% of the NP areas are classified as “strictly protected areas” while other 20% focuses more on sustainable development of the community. Average number of staffs and annual budget in each NP are 74 people and 8,610,869 USD. Based on the analysis results, this study categorizes the NPs in Taiwan into “natural type” and “artificial type” by their characteristics including the type of resource, area size and population referring the guideline of IUCN.