Golden Butterfly Valley Introduction
The Huang Die Cui Gu (Yellow Butterfly Valley) is rich in ecological resources and hosts many ironwood trees that are suitable for the breeding of yellow butterflies. This attracts the caterpillars of the golden-haired butterfly, which feed on the ironwood, creating a spectacular sight of thousands of yellow butterflies fluttering about, resembling countless stars in the sky. There are 110 recorded species of butterflies in Huang Die Cui Gu, among which the golden-haired butterfly and the plain yellow butterfly once held the record for the highest butterfly density in the world. Initially, the Meinong Reservoir was planned to meet the water demands of the Greater Kaohsiung metropolitan area. However, due to the presence of tropical experimental forests and Huang Die Cui Gu nearby, local residents were concerned that the precious natural ecology and cultural assets would be destroyed. As a result, they formed the "Meinong Love Hometown Association" and united with local ecological conservation groups to initiate a series of petitions and protests. After years of advocacy, the initial anti-reservoir movement was elevated to a water resource conservation movement. Since 1995, the "Meinong Yellow Butterfly Festival" has been held annually in the Huang Die Cui Gu area to promote environmental education.
