Casinos Must Not Affect Ecosystem: Green Island Chief

TAIPEI, March 21 Asia Pulse - Despite a government assessment that casinos should be allowed to open on Taiwan's outlying islands, such establishments must not affect local ecosystems, Green Island township chief Chen Chia-wen said Tuesday.

According to Chen, local residents would welcome the establishment of casinos on Green Island off the coast of eastern Taitung County as long as they pose no threat to the natural environment.

Citing the results of a public opinion poll made public in 1997, Chen said that about 78 per cent of local residents surveyed agreed to the idea of allowing casinos at that time, far ahead of 7 per cent who were opposed and some 14 per cent who had no comment.

But Chen said that it is necessary to re-assess the issue, as public awareness of environmental protection has been greatly increased among local residents in recent years.

He called for comprehensive complementary measures in traffic management and accommodation if the gambling industry is to be allowed on the island.

He also pointed out that the casino proposal might constitute a violation of another government plan to designating the island as a national park.

Premier Su Tseng-chang and former Academia Sinica head Lee Yuan-tzeh inspected Green Island last year and proposed a quota control mechanism on the entry of tourists in view of the degradation of the environment there, he said.

(CNA)

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