Budai Wetland Ecological Park (formerly known as South Budai Wetland) Introduction
Nanbudai Wetlands are located in the idle salt fields south of the urban area of Budai Township, Chiayi County. Once part of the Budai Salt Field's Zone Six, the total area—including lagoon waters—covers approximately 1,385 hectares. The wetland is bordered to the north by the Western Coastal Highway and the Zanliao Stream, to the east by Provincial Highway 17 and Budai Junior High School, to the south by the Longgong Creek and Provincial Highway 17, and to the west by lagoon waters. Centuries ago, the area was a shallow lagoon in the inner sea behind the wind (known today as the remaining Haomei Lagoon). It later transformed into fish ponds due to the reclamation activities of early settlers. In the 1930s, under Japanese rule, the demand for salt—the so-called mother of industries—led to the forced expropriation of these fish ponds to establish salt fields. After the end of Japanese rule in the 1950s and 1960s, salt production once created a "platinum era" of prosperity for Taiwan's southwest coastal region. However, with changes in Taiwan's social and economic structure and the inability to compete against the globalization of imported salt products, the Taiwan Salt Corporation eventually announced the closure of all salt fields in 2002, marking the end of salt production in Taiwan's history. Today, these abandoned salt fields, which have been idle for many years, have transformed into a wetland paradise, attracting large numbers of migratory birds due to years of erosion and environmental factors such as subsidence caused by excessive groundwater extraction. Particularly from September to April each year, this area becomes one of the most important habitats for wild birds along the southwest coast. Visitors can observe various bird species, including the Black-faced Spoonbill, White Spoonbill, and Black-headed Gull, making the rich biodiversity worthy of exploration.
