Lin Huizhen Agricultural Media reporter
Firefly Viewing Holy Land Forest Park, Dafu Pingdi Forest Park, Hualien, Taiwan, has implemented the total payment volume control for the first time this year. Combined with the explanation and guide of the nine surrounding communities, the monthly event attracted 1,800 tourists, bringing more than 2 million income to the community (about 440,000 RMB), and the surrounding benefits exceeded 10 million, and tourists' habitat damage has also decreased; Chiayi Dingbenzai Community also started charging fees two years ago. Although tourists have been reduced by half, the locals say the environment has become better and hope to use the ecological firefly to light up the road of sustainable tourism.
Starting from March every year, it is the season when flashing fireflies appearing in groups. The Danong Dafu Pingdi Forest Park under the Hualien Forest Management Department of the Forestry Bureau has become the most reassuring home for fireflies after several years of afforestation and rebirth. However, last year, the dreamy scene lingering green light was quickly popular, attracting unruly tourists. The car parked randomly made the surrounding residents unbearable. He also shone fireflies with flashlights to destroy the ecology.
Daong Dafu Pingdi Forest Park shines brightly every March to April night.
Hualien Forest Management Office has had the idea of controlling the total amount of paid since last year. It trained residents around to be guided, traffic control, finance, document processing and other work, and participated in the community including Dajin, Daxing , Dafu, Dafeng, Fuyuan, Mafu, Taiba, Hualien County Rural Development Association, and Luye Xiangpo Rural Development Association. Last year, a tiered free guided tour was held. The tourists responded well and officially launched this year. 500 people were opened during the week and 800 people were on holidays, with a charge of 198 yuan per person.
This year's event ended yesterday. Wu Kunming, director of the Hualien Forest Management Department, said that since its opening on March 18, it has attracted 1800 tourists in one month, with an average of about 350 to 400 people a day, and an income of 2.138,400 yuan. All of them are placed in a dedicated account and allocated to 9 communities.
is explained by the residents and volunteers of the tribal community, guiding everyone to enter the park to appreciate the beauty of fluorescent. Image source: Hualien Forest District Management Office.
In addition to ticket revenue, Hualien Forest Management Office has statistics that 70% of tourists come from other places. After seeing the fireflies, most of them will stay in Hualien for one night. If the tourist information counted by the Tourism Bureau, the average consumption per person in Hualien is 1,400 yuan. More than 10,000 firefly tourists have brought nearly 10.6 million yuan to surrounding accommodation and catering operators, and many tourists exclaimed, "There are a lot worse than guides!" They know the firefly ecology.
"Users pay right." Wu Kunming said that the event attracted many Hong Kong and foreigners. After paying, tourists listened carefully to the explanation and would not destroy the habitat at will. The ticket also includes community-specific souvenirs, such as red glutinous rice, black beans, etc., to create tourism benefits in surrounding communities. The policy is planned to continue next year, and at the same time discuss whether to adjust the total number of people, charges, etc. to maintain ecological habitats and take into account the local economy.
Dainong Dafu Pingdi Forest Park has been successful in 15 years and has now become a "Tongcat" forest tunnel comparable to Miyazaki animation. Image source: Ji Youting.
tickets are collected and tourists are reduced by half. Community residents are very happy.
Dayuan Dafu’s experience in watching firefly. People from Dingbenzai Community, Ali Shanshan, Chiayi are very impressed. Last year, they implemented the firefly appreciation commentary and charging mechanism for the first time. The whole ticket is 100 yuan, half ticket is 50 yuan, and the preferential ticket is 80 yuan. If you live in a community homestay, it only costs 50 yuan. The number of firefly viewers has dropped from the highest 1,500 people in a single day to 700. Liu Jianan, chairman of the Dingbenzai Cultural Association, said that although the number of people has been reduced by half, it has also reduced the inconvenience and environmental load of community residents.
"I feel very comforted, there are fewer people lighting the lights randomly." Liu Jianan said with a smile. After the charges, tourists have fewer tourists, and watching fireflies has more quality. Tourists will not be impatient and rush to the forefront, and residents will not be blocked at their doorstep because tourists are parked randomly.
Because many fireflies in Dingbenzai community are in private land, this ticket income is not only used as an explanation fee, but also a part of the amount is withdrawn to subsidize the landlord's habitat. Dingbenzai is located in the mountainous area and is prone to snakes, and the ticket fee also includes tourist insurance.
Expert: Only paid guides can be sustainable
Yang Pingshi, a retired professor at the Insect Department of National Taiwan University, who has long promoted firefly ecological tourism, is optimistic about the charges for guides. "Only if there is a paid concept, the people will behave properly" and will not interfere with the ecology. Only local communities or non-profit organizations that assist in the explanation can grow and operate continuously.
Daong Dafu Pingdi Forest Park: Black-winged and dark-fire. Image source: Hualien Forest District Management Office.
Fireflies have high environmental requirements and are an important ecological indicator. Yang Pingshi said that there are about 250 places in Taiwan now that they recommend fireflies, which need to be properly managed, such as total control, payment for reservations for tours, etc. Usually, habitat must be maintained at all times. It is not just digging a pool, but also weeds must be pruned.
He once inspected the firefly ecological tourism in Japan and found that Japan has developed the "firefly economy" to the fullest, enjoying flowers during the day and firefly at night, and buying local firefly wine, firefly biscuits, firefly pens, etc. It is recommended that the Hakka, indigenous people and other communities around Daguodafu can develop local souvenirs and special meals, and promote Taiwan to the international ecological stage.
Don’t forget the three key points of ecological conservation when watching fireflies. Drawing: Ke Haoxiang.
※This article is reproduced from Agricultural Media.
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