The 8,500-hectare Putzu River Estuary Wetland in Chiayi has just been named as a national wetland for the very first time by the Ministry of the Interior.

Following the protest by the people, the government has been keeping up with the conservation efforts in sustaining the largest wetland in Taiwan, which is set to boost the tourism industry in the area in the near future.

Students are coming in groups to the Putzu River and the mangroves.

Over the years, this has become a well-known outdoor education site in Chiayi.

The Putzu River Wetland and nearby mangroves almost disappeared in 1984 due to pollution.

Nearby communities and conservationists protested, and the government began a renovation project in recent years not only restored the area, but made it even more it more lush.

200 species of birds have been recorded here, and it's the first time it has been listed as a national wetland.

Another surprise has been the mangroves from Chiayi's Dongshih Bridget to the river mouth that are now part of the wetlands, an area of 2,300 hectares, in which the Ministry of the Interior decided to include at the last minute.

This means the total wetland has been expanded to around 8,500 hectares. Every winter, this area attracts tens of thousands of wetland birds coming here to spend the winter.

Now that it has been designated a national wetland, the oyster industry as well as tourism will develop, though it will be difficult to carry out industrial development.

The Chiayi County Government said that in the future, the conservation will take place,

protecting the wetland along the Putzu River with many local communities expected to participate and take part in this work.