Sociopolitical

Residents of Shenmu inch closer to a new life

Longhua Elementary School stands ruined in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot, the worst tropical storm to hit Taiwan in 50 years. (Photo: Tien-ying Hsu)

• Publication Date：11/06/2009
• Source： Taiwan Today
• By  Tien-ying Hsu

On Oct. 21, an opening ceremony to inaugurate the prefabricated classrooms of Longhua Elementary School in Nantou County’s Shenmu Village took place amid much fanfare. Destroyed by the raging floodwaters of Hoshe River during Typhoon Morakot in August, this was the third time the school had risen from the ashes following a natural disaster.

Although less high profile than the loss of Xiaolin Village in southern Taiwan, the damage suffered by Shenmu as a result of the tropical storm was equally as serious, with one-third of the hamlet left uninhabitable. Of the village’s 399 registered households, 30 were forced to relocate and more than 100 live in dangerous conditions.

With many of the predominantly Hakka village’s 968 residents in favor of permanent relocation, the local government is now working to deliver a feasible plan that offers residents a better life.

According to Duan Jin-hao, a professor with the Department of Soil and Water Conservation at Taichung-based National Chung Hsing University, the central Taiwanese village’s bad luck can be traced back to irresponsible logging practices that left the upper reaches of surrounding mountains almost completely denuded of camphor trees.

“Hoshe River was engorged with waters running off from the high mountain areas,” he said. “This situation was accentuated by long-term deforestation that has produced increased incidences of land subsidence.”

Chen Kuo-jhong, secretary-general of Nantou County Council, concedes that although previous logging practices left a lot to be desired, the local forestry bureau attempted to correct these by implementing forestation projects in the 1970s. “But they were unsuccessful,” he said. “In growing only a single kind of tree, soil retention remained weak.”

Blessed with an idyllic mid-mountain location, Shenmu has paid dearly for its beauty, having been destroyed three times in 13 years. Typhoon Herbert in 1996, the magnitude-7.3 earthquake of Sept. 21, 1999, and now Typhoon Morakot succeeded in leaving the village in ruins.

In light of this, Chen Chih-ching, deputy magistrate of Nantou County, insists relocation is the most effective solution. “Between 2003 and 2008, the county government spent NT$325 million (US$9.98 million) on reconstruction projects in Shenmu, but the money continues to be washed away by flooding.”

To carry out the relocation plan, Chen said two major issues must be solved: the villagers’ attachment to their homes and their concerns over employment.

“Although many of the affected residents now realize the necessity of relocation, the elderly still find it difficult to move. They are rooted here,” said Shenmu Village Head Chung Kui-nan.

Duan, who offers counseling to various reconstruction project committees across Taiwan, hopes Shenmu’s villagers can be persuaded to take an alternative view on the attachment issue. “A new root can always develop as the younger generation grows. At the moment, safety should be the top priority.”

The academic added that Shenmu’s terrace-grown vegetables are highly sought after and can sell at much better prices than plain-grown ones. “This might be another factor keeping residents here.”

In response, Secretary-General Chen said this objection could be overcome by assisting villagers to establish boutique agriculture businesses. “We will help them set up greenhouses to grow products of even higher value, which can be sold in quantity to major domestic airlines.”

But before the issue of employment is resolved, the more vexing issue of finding a new location for the village must be dealt with. A nearby experimental forest tract currently owned by National Taiwan University’s College of Bioresources and Agriculture is being eyed by the local government. “The 2.5-hectare plot should be enough for residents to live and work,” Deputy Magistrate Chen said.

But this solution looks increasingly problematic, as some farmers from neighboring Tong Fu Village are growing crops on the proposed site. Despite the government officially taking the land back several years ago, many farmers refuse to pull up roots and are now demanding financial compensation to do so.

The secretary-general suggested that vacant land in Puli Township could be suitable for the new Shenmu, but this decision lies in the hands of the central government.

Deputy Magistrate Chen said he hopes to reach an agreement with Taipei on this option as soon as possible. “If we can sort things out before the central government’s three-year financing plan for typhoon-stricken businesses expires, the people of Shenmu will be able to apply for as much support as they need.”

With villagers reportedly taking the indecision over their future increasingly badly, the relocation process must be put on the fast track, said Secretary-General Chen. “Many schoolchildren have told me that their parents are drinking and fighting. If this situation is allowed to continue, I fear that more serious social problems are waiting in the wings.”

The secretary-general also urged the central government to provide greater economic support. “We need more financial backing from Taipei,” he said. “Help from such private charity groups as Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation could be slow coming because it takes time to raise funds.”

As the Longhua Elementary School’s opening ceremony drew to a close and students began rushing off to inspect their new, albeit temporary classrooms, the assembled parents, teachers and government officials agreed on one thing. Only through the concerted efforts of all parties involved will the residents of Shenmu be able to enjoy a new life. (JSM)

Write to Tien-ying Hsu at: tyhsu@mail.gio.gov.tw