Ministry of Interior Approves Dapeng Bay Plan to Balance Tourism and Ecology

Dapeng Bay in Pingtung County has been designated as a scenic area since the 1990s, with the government establishing strict land-use regulations to protect the coastal environment. Although the area boasts an excellent coastline, coral reefs, and rare marine life, investment momentum has long been stalled due to fragmented land ownership, insufficient infrastructure, and cumbersome administrative review procedures, preventing the full realization of its tourism and leisure potential. To break through this bottleneck, the Directorate General of National Land Affairs under the Ministry of the Interior has held multiple urban planning committee hearings and completed the second-phase proposal for the third comprehensive review earlier this month.

On Saturday, the Ministry of the Interior’s Urban Planning Committee formally approved the “Amendment to the Dapeng Bay Scenic Area Plan (Third Comprehensive Review) (Second Phase)” during its 1,110th meeting, resolving to adjust the existing land-use regulations. This decision not only streamlines the administrative review process but also permits moderate development and infrastructure improvements in parts of the coastal area, provided that environmental protection is maintained. The committee stated that the plan centers on “green development,” balancing ecological conservation with economic benefits, and encourages private enterprises to participate in investment to share development costs and risks.

The root of the land-use bottleneck lies in the fragmented ownership of land within the Dapeng Bay Scenic Area, lengthy procedures for transferring usage rights, and the lack of a unified development blueprint. The second phase of the comprehensive review primarily focuses on the re-planning and coordination of land-use rights, proposing specific measures for “land consolidation” and “public facility optimization.” By integrating land resources, the government can increase the available area for development in the short term while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the coastal environment. This move not only resolves long-standing administrative obstacles but also provides a clearer investment direction for local governments and private investors.

Dapeng Bay, with its clear waters, rich marine ecology, and unique coastal landscapes, possesses natural advantages for developing high-end tourism and leisure. Through the implementation of this plan, it is expected to attract domestic and international tourists to experience diverse activities such as diving, sea fishing, and coastal trails, further enhancing Pingtung County’s tourism brand image. Economists point out that the development of the tourism and leisure industry will not only drive growth in related sectors such as accommodation, dining, and transportation, but also create numerous job opportunities and promote the diversification of the local economy. If investment is successfully promoted, it is estimated to bring in billions of dollars in tax revenue and economic benefits to local governments within three years.

The future development path will rely on multi-party coordination and continuous supervision. The Ministry of the Interior has stated that it will work with the Pingtung County government, local communities, and private investors over the next six months to formulate a specific implementation plan, ensuring the refinement of environmental assessment and community participation mechanisms. If infrastructure construction and tourism-related facilities can be successfully completed while protecting the coastal ecosystem, it will lay a solid foundation for establishing Dapeng Bay as a new tourism star on Taiwan’s southeastern coast. This move is not only a breakthrough for local development but also a significant step for the nation in promoting its strategies for green tourism and sustainable development. (Source: Central News Agency)