Every year, as spring turns to summer, Yellow Butterfly Valley in Meinong, Kaohsiung, draws crowds of visitors eager to witness the spectacular sight of yellow butterflies dancing through the air. The butterflies are drawn to the area because, during the Japanese colonial period, large numbers of kassod trees were planted in the Shuangxi area of northeastern Meinong to supply wood for rifle stocks and railroad ties. These trees are a favorite food source for yellow butterfly larvae, attracting them to breed—and eventually making this place their home.

In 1993, the government proposed building a reservoir in the area. In response, a group of Meinong residents and environmental organizations rose up to defend the local ecology—and ultimately succeeded. However, during that period, many kassod trees were cut down by certain individuals, leading to a significant loss of food sources and a sharp decline in the butterfly population.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the government and local community, the kassod trees were reintroduced, and the ecosystem supporting the yellow butterflies has since been restored.

 以下為中文對照

黃蝶翠谷走過艱辛 迎向未來

每年春夏交替之際，高雄美濃黃蝶翠谷總吸引大量遊客前來賞蝶，黃蝶翩翩飛舞的壯觀景象令人驚艷。黃蝶會來，是因為在日治時期，日本人為製造槍托與鐵道枕木所需，在美濃東北雙溪一帶栽植大量的「鐵刀木」，那是黃蝶幼蟲的最愛，吸引大量黃蝶前來繁殖，這裡就變成牠們的家。
在1993年，政府想在這裡蓋水庫，當時有一群美濃人與環保團體站出來，用行動守護這片生態，後來成功守住。不過在那段期間，因為有心人士大量砍伐鐵刀木，導致黃蝶的食源日益減少，黃蝶數量大減。後來經過政府與民間的努力，再度復育鐵刀木，讓黃蝶生態再度回復。

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