Hakka Affairs Council (HAC) Minister Lee Yung-de visited Miaoli’s Dahu Township to learn more about the Hakka region’s recent revitalization efforts on Oct. 5.

Minister Lee’s first stop was an ecological sanctuary located at the downstream area of the Liyutan Reservoir (鯉魚潭水庫). He went to there to examine the ongoing construction of the natural reserve.

A village had existed here before the dam was built, and later the dam-induced displacement left behind untouched, pristine land. This region has become a conservation area for preserving local natural landscapes, and HAC launched the “Blissful Flower Island (幸福花之島)” plan in 2017 to optimize the lake islet and its surroundings and construct an ecological park.

Accompanied by lawmaker Hsu Chih-jung (徐志榮), Minister Lee then headed for Hsin Kai Village (新開村) to survey the community’s overall environment after its post-dam relocation. When President Tsai Ing-wen visited the area in 2018, Pan Chao-neng (潘朝能), who was the village’s representative then, requested assistance from the central government to fix the local water supply system. Minister Lee’s Oct. 5 visit included inspecting the progress of replacing old pipes and improving water quality.

Lee stated that the village, which has about 1,000 inhabitants, is undergoing population aging. However, through community development programs aimed at building a comfortable living environment in Hakka settlements and promoting regional revitalization, it is hoped that young people will be willing to return to their hometown, learn more about the place where they were born, and protect the natural beauty in this area, Lee added.

Under the national flagship program “Taiwan Romantic Route 3,” the budget for the renovation of the Dahu region totals NT$28.89 million — almost 90 percent of which is subsidized by HAC. The construction projects are aimed at the establishment of trails and observation decks at the ecological park, and beautification of the village’s entrance and old streets.