The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) has set up a circular demonstration site at the Nanzhuang Seedling Nursery under the jurisdiction of its Hsinchu Branch to optimize the use of forestry residues such as branches and woody debris from harvesting domestic timber, recycling and converting them into raw materials for thermal energy supply, which can be used for the extraction of essential oils and hydrosols as well as primary processing of under-forest economy products.
Working with indigenous people for the co-management of forests
In order to implement the co-management of forests and mountains with indigenous peoples, the Hsinchu Branch of the FANCA has gradually restored the rights of indigenous peoples to use natural resources rooted in the respect for their traditional cultures and the sustainable management of forests and mountains. Since signing a partnership with the Nanzhuang Saisiyat people in 2018, the Hsinchu Branch of the FANCA has come to agreements with the Saisiyat people through peace ceremonies to settle grievances, guiding them to join forest and mountain co-management patrol tasks, and working together to develop underforest economy industries such as beekeeping, wood log shiitake cultivation, and native plant essential oil extraction. In addition to promoting eco-tourism, environmental education, and Saisiyat cultural experience activities, through this partnership, the Hsinchu Branch has joined hands with indigenous tribes to invest in the sustainable management of artificial forests in the Nanzhuang area, boosting the self-sufficiency rate of domestically produced timber.
Primary product processing: High-value utilization of residues
The Hsinchu Branch used the vacant land in the Nanzhuang Seedling Nursery to build the "Nanzhuang Area Forestry Residue Circular System Demonstration Site" in 2022, and began to promote the diversified development and application of timber and non-timber forest materials. Essential oil extraction systems, multiple hearth furnaces for biochar production, biomass gasifiers, and other equipment have been established at the demonstration site. Through the collection and separation of forestry residues, useful resources such as biomass pellets, plant essential oils, and biochar are produced. In doing so, residues that were originally considered to have low utilization value can be revitalized and reused to enhance the added value and market competitiveness of forest products.
Benefits
- It is estimated that at least 864 metric tons of residue are produced every year.
- Provide job opportunities for mountainous village communities or indigenous tribes, and created a green economy.