Budai Wetland Ecological Park (formerly Nannbudai Wetland) Introduction
The Southern Budai Wetland is located in the idle salt fields south of the urban area of Budai Township, Chiayi County. It was formerly the site of the Liuchu Salt Field, part of the Budai Salt Field. The total area, including the lagoon waters, is approximately 1,385 hectares. It borders the Western Coastal Highway and Zhanliao Canal to the north, is adjacent to Route 17 and Budai Junior High School to the east, crosses Longgong Creek to Route 17 to the south, and is bordered by lagoon waters to the west. Hundreds of years ago, the Southern Budai Wetland was a shallow lagoon area in the Daanfeng Inner Sea (the remnants of today's Haomei Lagoon). Later, due to early settlers' reclamation, it became a fish pond. In the 1930s, the Japanese, in response to the demand for salt, known as the mother of industry, forcibly seized private fish ponds for salt production. After the end of World War II, during the 50s and 60s, the salt industry created a prosperous period known as the "Platinum Era" in southwestern Taiwan's coastal areas. However, with changes in Taiwan's social and economic structure, the salt industry could not withstand global competition caused by the opening of salt imports. In 2002, Taiwan Salt Company announced the closure of all salt fields, marking the official end of Taiwan's salt industry. Since then, the abandoned salt fields, left idle for years, have undergone natural erosion and dilution from rainfall, along with environmental factors such as excessive groundwater extraction causing land subsidence. This natural succession has led to the area becoming a wetland paradise that attracts large numbers of migratory birds in winter and summer. From September to April each year, this region is one of the most important habitats for wild birds along the southwestern coast. At the Southern Budai Wetland, various bird species, including the Black-faced Spoonbill, White Spoonbill, and Black-headed Gull, can be observed, making it a rich biodiversity area worth exploring.
