This Act is enacted to preserve and enhance cultural heritage, ensure the universal and equal right to participate in preserving cultural heritage, enrich the spiritual life of the citizenry, and promote the cultural diversity. The natural landscapes and natural monuments, as one type of tangible cultural heritages, include natural zones, land formations, geological phenomena, plants, or minerals, which are of value in preserving natural environments. Chapter 6 categorizes natural landscapes into natural reserves and geoparks and defines natural monuments as including rare plants, minerals, and unique topographical or ecological features. Natural landscapes and monuments are classified as national, municipal, or county/city-level assets. Owners can apply for designation, and the government may revoke or reclassify them if conditions change. Any unauthorized alteration, damage, or exploitation of natural monuments is prohibited. Limited exceptions exist for indigenous ceremonies or research. Urban planning and construction must account for natural heritage preservation, and projects must undergo environmental assessments. Chapter 7 focuses on the protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, including traditional performing arts, craftsmanship, oral traditions, folklore, and traditional knowledge or practices. Traditional knowledge and practices are knowledge, skills and related practices addressed to nature environment that are accumulated or developed by different ethnic or social groups over a long period of time in order to survive in, adapt to, and handle with. The central competent authority may issue certificates to renowned preservers of intangible cultural heritage, and grant them incentives for recordation, preservation, revitalization, practice, and promotion of such intangible cultural heritage.
Taiwan Province of China · 1982-05-26