A stream in rural Hsinchu County is being damaged due to nearby development. But local young people have put together a program they hope can help save the waterway.
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00:00This little creek in northern Taiwan is at the center of a grassroots eco-campaign.
00:06It's a place locals in rural Hsinchu County's Emei Township have long been coming to,
00:11both for their daily needs and recreation.
00:15The villagers here are very impressed by the creek.
00:18The kids here are impressed by the fish and shrimp.
00:22When the creek is clear, it's full of fish and shrimp.
00:28But the water here is getting murkier as developers start work on an 82-hectare site nearby.
00:34The plan is to build five big projects, including a retirement community and an industrial park.
00:40The effects are already showing.
00:42The shrimp will lay their eggs under this rock and stick to it.
00:46The soil will come down and cover the rock.
00:49The eggs can't breathe, so they die.
00:52This band of young locals has taken to organizing guided trips out here
00:56to spread the word and share the area's beauty.
01:00Bringing a lot of people here to get to know the creek has become a source of concern.
01:05It shows people that this creek is being looked after and protected.
01:10There are even hopes to further protect this waterway.
01:24Which would not only preserve the area for more human recreation,
01:27but also keep it habitable for the fish, insects and birds that call it home.
01:33Andy Xue and John Ventriast for Taiwan Plus.