Taiwan Releases Century-Old Japanese Colonial Forest Survey Records

Taiwan's rich forest history is being brought to light with the release of significant historical documents from the Japanese colonial period. The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, working with Professor Hung Chi-Hsi of National Taiwan University and Nantian Publishing, has unveiled meticulously compiled forest survey records. These materials, including detailed forest maps and survey books, were first created by Japanese experts over a century ago. They represent the most important historical data for understanding forest management in Taiwan during that era. After being sealed away for nearly a hundred years, these invaluable records have now been translated into Chinese. This initiative makes the data accessible to contemporary researchers, conservationists, and the public, offering a deeper understanding of Taiwan's natural heritage and its past governance.