Embracing Forest Therapy as a New Approach to Ecology, Livelihoods and Production

Yen-Shau Lin
Publicado: 19 Julio 2023
Última edición: 19 Julio 2023
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Summary

The Fuxing Nanhe Leisure Agricultural Area (Miaoli County, Taiwan) is well-known for its historical trails, leisure farms, and unique guesthouses. In 2011, the Miaoli County Lohas Tongxiao Leisure Agriculture Development Association was formed to promote slow travel itineraries through food and farming education and experiential activities. In recent years, the industry has faced the challenge of economic stagnation. Since 2019, there has been collaboration among the industry, government, academia, and research institutions to document the cultural, historical, landscape, and ecological aspects of ancient trails in the area. In 2022, to further advance these efforts, community development centered around forest therapy and relevant community-based activities. Its goal is to foster sustainable local livelihoods where nature and the Fuhe community coexist and thrive together.

Clasificaciones

Region
Asia del Este
Scale of implementation
Local
Ecosystem
Agro-ecosistema
Agroforesteria
Theme
Actores locales
Cultura
Especies y la extinción
Institucionalización de la biodiversidad
One Health
Salud y bienestar humano
Servicios ecosistémicos
Turismo
Species Conservation and One Health Interventions
Evaluación del estado de las especies
Seguimiento e investigación de especies
Manejo intensivo de especies (in situ o ex situ)
Planificación de la conservación de especies
Comunicación de riesgos, participación de la comunidad y cambio de comportamiento
Mecanismo de coordinación de One Health
One Health
El vínculo entre biodiversidad y salud
Challenges
Falta de oportunidades de ingresos alternativos
Cambios en el contexto socio-cultural
Sustainable development goals
ODS 3 - Salud y bienestar
ODS 8 - Trabajo decente y crecimiento económico
ODS 15 - Vida de ecosistemas terrestres
ODS 17 - Alianzas para lograr los objetivos
Aichi targets
Meta 1: Aumento de la sensibilization sobre la biodiversidad
Meta 2: Valores de biodiversidad integrados
Meta 7: Agricultura, acuicultura y silvicultura
Meta 14: Los servicios ecosistemicos
Meta 19: Intercambio de información y conocimiento

Ubicación

Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan

Impacts

The Miaoli County Lohas Tongxiao Leisure Agriculture Development Association has been documenting the cultural, historical, landscape, and ecological resources of the surrounding trails since 2019. They have conducted surveys on nearly 150 butterfly species, 18 endemic bird species, and over 300 wild plant species. They have also planned the creation of butterfly habitats by establishing nectar sources and host plants. Through regular ecological surveys, they have engaged over 20 ecological survey volunteers, 18 community tour guides, and 5 certified forest therapy instructors. Starting from 2022, they have adopted forest therapy as a strategy to upgrade the community industry. Collaborating with travel agencies, they have launched “Forest Therapy” itineraries, organized a total of 24 events within a year and guided over 400 people to experience forest healing journeys. This has led to over 30% economic growth in the local industry and has also promoted conservation awareness among local residents, reducing conventional farming practices. The association aims to develop a “Satoyama Lohas village,” promote self-healing and provide high-quality forest therapy services, while practicing a holistic lifestyle that integrates ecology, livelihoods and production.

Contribuido por

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Li-Chuan Weng Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency