Nature Trails

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Dragon Boat Festival 2012

Last weekend we visited one of the famous Dragon Boat Festival in Taiwan. This comes in every year 5th day of the 5th Month according to the Lunar calendar, so it falls onto 23rd June 2012 for this year. On this particular day the dragon boat races are held on the rivers and lakes in Taiwan. However, in addition to the boat races there are many other traditions, rituals and special food for this particular festival.

International Dragon Boat Championship held in Tainan, Taiwan 2012.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Suhua Highway - Taiwan's most scenic roadway

Some considered as the most scenic highway in Taiwan. Suhua Highway is a 118 kilometer section of the Provincial Highway No. 9 in Taiwan, starting at Su-ao Township, Yilan and ending at Hualien City, Hualien. With a portion built alongside very steep cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean, it is a dangerous yet scenic drive. Famous tourist stops include the Chingshui Cliffs and Tarako national park (close to Hualien end) is along the highway. This road connects the northern part of Taiwan with the eastern part.

Chingshui Cliffs

Thursday, May 24, 2012

World Turtle Day - May 23

The purpose of World Turtle Day, May 23, sponsored yearly since 2000 by American Tortoise Rescue, is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive

Sri Lanka and Taiwan has some turtle species where Sri Lanka being a tropical island comes in first. Where Sri Lanka having the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) come ashore to nest on the beaches of Sri Lanka. All 5 species are listed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) as either critically endangered or endangered.

Above five species are considered as protected species of sea turtles in Taiwan. Among these species, the green turtle is the most abundant and the only one that is still nesting on Taiwan islands these days.

The world Biodiversity day celebrated recently with the theme of protecting marine Biodiversity, Turtles play a significant role in the marine biodiversity.

Monday, May 21, 2012

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme for year 2012 is the Marine Biodiversity.

Lets join hands to protect our Biodiversity!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

World Environmental Day - WED 2012

Started back in 1972, World Environmental Day (WED) is one of the most celebrated and now even become more concerned activities of UN. The 2012 theme for World Environment Day is Green Economy: Does it include you?

The UN Environment Programme defines the Green Economy as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive.