Danairy Valley Ecological Park Introduction
"Dana'ih Valley" is a name directly translated from the pronunciation of the Tsou language. It is a rare clean stream in Taiwan, located in the upper reaches of the Chengwen River, at an altitude of about 500 meters, with a length of 18 kilometers. The climate is pleasant, and the scenery is beautiful. However, until more than a decade ago, Dana'ih Valley was in a concerning state, as people overfished and polluted the water source, making it unbearable for the Tsou people of Shanmei Village, who were determined to defend this vital water resource for their tribe. Thus, Dana'ih Valley underwent a process of restoration over a period of more than ten years, even facing the impact of Typhoon Haikui, which distorted the riverbed and caused trees and boulders to collapse. Nonetheless, the Tsou people of Shanmei mobilized the entire village to move stones and repair Dana'ih Valley. Only today can we finally see the crystal-clear stream. The Dana'ih Valley Ecological Park is Taiwan's first ecologically sustainable park initiated by the private sector, managed by the Shanmei Community Development Association. It is open for visitors and charges a nominal maintenance fee. In recent years, Dana'ih Valley has become a new attraction in Alishan, where traditional song and dance performances are even held at the park's entrance. Dana'ih Valley not only boasts rich natural ecology, with lush mountains extending sinuously, but also features warm and quiet trails. The stream sparkles in the valley, with boulders strewn across it, while birds and butterflies dance along both banks. The fish species in Dana'ih Valley are also abundant, notably the bitterling, which has a large population residing here. On the other hand, for the sake of ecological balance, during the rainy season and fish spawning periods, Dana'ih Valley also opens the Chengwen River for anglers and provides fish fry to aquaculture operators. Thanks to the meticulous protection of these ecological landscapes and the dedicated management of tourism resources, the lives of the Tsou people in Shanmei Village have started to improve, enhancing the quality of community life.
