However, the development of the road through the mountains, threading through the medium- and high-altitude orchards and vegetable farms, has led to a boom in construction of tourist guesthouses. This excessive development has caused grave problems, including increased erosion and runoff, the pollution of Tachia River with agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, and eutrophication of the Techi Reservoir.
中橫公路地景秀麗，擁有珍貴觀光資源，然而，隨著山路的闢建，沿線溫帶水果園、高山蔬菜園廣闢，觀光民宿大興土木，在在造成水土流失，農藥與肥料污染大甲溪，德基水庫優氧化等，過度開發的沈痾十分嚴重。