Mingjian Incinerator EIA Meeting Erupts in Conflict as Protesters Invoke Local Deity

The second phase of the environmental impact assessment for the Mingjian incinerator faced significant opposition during its continuation meeting. Local self-help groups, environmental advocates, and political candidates converged at the Nantou County Women and Children's Hall to voice their strong objections. The self-help group, invoking the protection of the "Zhuoshui Mazu" (a local deity), performed a ritual with incense before the meeting. This act, intended to convey their plea to the local gods, led to a confrontation when meeting officials attempted to prevent the incense lighting. The protest highlighted deep-seated local concerns about the incinerator's environmental impact, particularly on the region's agricultural economy, which heavily relies on natural resources and farming, including the renowned Mingjian tea industry. Candidates running for county magistrate also lent their support, criticizing the county government's handling of the project, particularly its failure to adequately inform residents of risks and explore alternative solutions, likening the garbage problem to a "tumor" requiring careful surgery. The sheer size of the proposed incinerator, significantly larger than others, and its location on designated agricultural land, further fueled the controversy, with critics arguing it violates strict land-use regulations. The timing of the meeting, coinciding with the deity's procession, was seen by protesters as a deliberate provocation by the county government, intensifying the already charged atmosphere.

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Garbage is a tumor in Nantou County for many years, and it needs to be surgically removed. Before surgery, the consent form has three key points: consent must be obtained, risks must be disclosed, and are there alternative solutions besides surgery? The Nantou County government has not done any of this.