English: After the beginning of Japanese rule, the new colonial administration conducted resource surveys throughout the island, including surveys of high-altitude, deep mountain areas, especially the highest peak on the island, Yushan (then known as Mount Niitaka). In 1896, during two survey expeditions of Yushan, the team passed by the Alishan area, located on the western slopes of Yushan, and noticed large swathes of coniferous forest as far as the eye could see. The Government-General of Taiwan then launched a survey of the forests of Taiwan, analyzing forestry, railways, and the social governance of the local Tsou people.