Hwangryonggang Jangnok Wetland Designated as National Wetland Protection Area 'Kickoff'

Gwangju City Submits Designation Proposal to the Ministry of Environment

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 22nd that it has submitted a designation proposal to the Ministry of Environment on the 20th and has begun the process of establishing a designation plan, following the final request from Gwangsan-gu for the designation of a national wetland protection area.

The Jangnok Wetland along the Hwangryong River in the city center stretches about 8 km from in front of Honam University to the confluence with the Yeongsan River. According to a detailed survey conducted by the National Wetland Center of the Ministry of Environment in 2018, it was concluded that the wetland, rare in urban areas, is rich in biodiversity and requires protection. However, the push for development, including the installation of sports facilities and parking lots, led to the postponement of the national wetland protection area designation.

Since then, a task force (TF) consisting of local resident representatives, city and district councils, civic groups, experts, and officials was formed, holding a total of 20 sessions including field surveys, resident meetings, and public debates.

On the 23rd of last month, a face-to-face information-providing survey targeting 1,000 Gwangju citizens was conducted as a citizen consensus measure decided by the task force (TF), revealing that 85.8% of citizens supported the designation of the national wetland protection area.

Accordingly, Gwangsan-gu held additional explanatory meetings for some residents opposing the designation due to concerns about securing resident convenience and leisure facilities and hindering development in the Songjeong area, before finally requesting the designation proposal.

If Jangnok Wetland is designated as a protected area, it will become the first national wetland protection area located within an urban center in South Korea. With support from the Ministry of Environment, systematic management and restoration of damaged areas will be carried out.

Song Yong-su, head of the Environmental Policy Division of the city, said, “The Jangnok Wetland area is well-preserved ecologically, has beautiful scenery, and is rich in surrounding tourist resources. We will strive to transform it into a healthy ecological space where both wildlife and humans coexist.”