Danai Eco Park Introduction
The name "Dana'i Valley" is a direct transliteration from the indigenous Tsou language. It is one of Taiwan's rare clean streams, located in the upper reaches of the Zengwen River, at an altitude of around 500 meters, with a length of 18 kilometers. The climate is pleasant, and the scenery is beautiful. However, the situation in Dana'i Valley was concerning until just over a decade ago, as people overfished and polluted the water, leading the Tsou people of Shandi Village to take a stand to protect this vital water resource for their tribe. Dana'i Valley then underwent over a decade of ecological restoration, even in the face of Typhoon Herb, which deformed the riverbed and caused trees and boulders to collapse. Nevertheless, the Tsou people of Shandi mobilized the entire village to move boulders and repair Dana'i Valley. It is only today that we can finally see the crystal-clear stream. The Dana'i Valley Ecological Park is the first privately promoted ecological park in Taiwan, managed by the Shandi Community Development Association, and it is open for visitors, charging only a nominal maintenance fee. In recent years, Dana'i Valley has become an emerging attraction in Alishan, and there are even traditional song and dance performances at the park's entrance. Not only is Dana'i Valley rich in natural ecology, with its lush mountains stretching along the landscape, but its tranquil trails provide beauty, while the stream glimmers in the valley, with rugged boulders in the water and birds and butterflies fluttering along the banks. The fish species in Dana'i Valley are abundant, including many mullets, locally known as "bitter flower," which make this area their home. On the other hand, to maintain ecological balance, during the rainy season and fish spawning periods, Dana'i Valley also opens sections of the Zengwen River for anglers, providing fish fry to aquaculture operators. Thanks to the comprehensive protection of these ecological landscapes and thoughtful management of tourism resources, the quality of life for the Tsou people in Shandi Village has begun to improve, enhancing the overall living standards in the community.
