Issuing Unit: Water Resources Department
The Chinese Society of Water Resources Management has entered its 27th year, deeply committed to water governance, watershed management, and environmental sustainability. Whether in policy research, technology promotion, or industry-government-academia collaboration, the Society plays an indispensable role in Taiwan’s water resources development.
On the morning of December 4, Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-Shan attended the “10th Annual Meeting and Symposium of the Chinese Society of Water Resources Management.” She expressed gratitude to Chairman Huang Hong-Pu and all directors, supervisors, and committee members for their long-standing contributions to Taiwan’s water resource management, enabling Taiwan to adapt and move forward steadily amid challenges such as climate change, industrial transformation, and rapidly shifting water demands.
Water is the foundation of life, the lifeline of agriculture, and the most critical element for local sustainability. Magistrate Chang stated that Yunlin is Taiwan’s major granary—rice, vegetables, fruits, and livestock all rely on stable water resources. Farmers often say: “With water comes harvest; without water, there is no hope.” This saying reflects the reality of life in Yunlin.
She further pointed out that in recent years, Yunlin has faced extreme climate challenges: fearing floods when water is abundant and droughts when water is scarce. In this uncertain environment, Yunlin works closely with the Water Resources Agency, the Irrigation Agency, and experts to maximize limited resources for agriculture, livelihoods, and the future of this land. Yunlin has two central government-managed rivers, one county-managed river, and 146 regional drainage systems. Some are adjacent to farmland but lack irrigation channels, forcing farmers to drill wells due to insufficient irrigation water, leading to land subsidence and a vicious cycle. Under climate change, water management plans require more comprehensive and diversified considerations. Recently, the Ministry of the Interior reviewed Yunlin’s land-use zoning map, and Magistrate Chang led a delegation to Taipei to advocate for farmers’ rights and overall sustainable development from the perspective of an agricultural county.
The symposium invited Deputy Director Wang Yi-Feng of the Water Resources Agency to share insights on “Water and Watershed Sustainability,” covering topics from integrated watershed governance to early warning systems and climate adaptation—issues Yunlin has long prioritized. In the afternoon, Deputy Director Lin Guo-Hua discussed “Agricultural Resilience under Climate Change,” a core topic for Yunlin’s agricultural production. Dr. Hsieh Wen-Bin presented “AI-Assisted Environmental Sustainability and Energy Saving for Carbon Reduction,” highlighting how technology can help rural areas and water resource management enter a new stage.
Magistrate Chang concluded by thanking the organizing team for their thoughtful arrangements and all participants for their guidance. She expressed hope that through this professional platform, central and local governments, industry, academia, and research can join hands to pool knowledge, share experiences, and create new possibilities—becoming a vital force for transforming Yunlin and enhancing resilience in the future.
SDGs 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and villages.
SDGs 13: Climate Action – Take comprehensive mitigation and adaptation measures to address climate change and its impacts.