Tree-top protest halts project at Taiwan school
Source: AFP |
April 8, 2013, Monday
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A Taiwan activist's unusual tree-top protest yesterday went into its 11th day, and Pan Han-chiang vowed to continue until a local council drops a controversial development project.
The government of New Taipei City plans to build a swimming pool and an underground parking garage on the grounds of a junior high school in Panchiao district.
Despite objections from conservationists, some nearby residents and alumni and teachers, a contractor started removing five out of the 32 targeted 40-year-old trees from the campus late last month.
In reaction, Pan, 46, climbed one of the trees on March 28 and has refused to come down, with meals and water supplied by supporters. The sit-in has halted preparatory work on the project.
"This is the last method we can use now. The protest will continue indefinitely if the government decides to go ahead with the project," his brother Pan Han-sheng said.
The city government insists that the project, estimated to cost NT$310 million (US$10.4 million), is designed to meet public demand and the trees will be replanted elsewhere.
But opponents question the wisdom of removing mature trees - many of them unlikely to survive transplantation - to build the swimming pool and especially the underground parking garage, which they say is unnecessary.
The government of New Taipei City plans to build a swimming pool and an underground parking garage on the grounds of a junior high school in Panchiao district.
Despite objections from conservationists, some nearby residents and alumni and teachers, a contractor started removing five out of the 32 targeted 40-year-old trees from the campus late last month.
In reaction, Pan, 46, climbed one of the trees on March 28 and has refused to come down, with meals and water supplied by supporters. The sit-in has halted preparatory work on the project.
"This is the last method we can use now. The protest will continue indefinitely if the government decides to go ahead with the project," his brother Pan Han-sheng said.
The city government insists that the project, estimated to cost NT$310 million (US$10.4 million), is designed to meet public demand and the trees will be replanted elsewhere.
But opponents question the wisdom of removing mature trees - many of them unlikely to survive transplantation - to build the swimming pool and especially the underground parking garage, which they say is unnecessary.
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