Chungnam Selected for Preliminary Feasibility Study of ‘Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project’

Panoramic view of Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project site. Provided by Chungnam Province

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project has been finally selected as a subject for a preliminary feasibility study. This project, a pledge of the 8th local government administration and a presidential regional pledge project, focuses on restoring wetlands in the polluted area around the former Janghang Smelter and creating ecological forests and trails.

According to Chungnam Province on the 28th, the Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project was recently selected as a subject for a preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s ‘5th Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee.’

The project is regarded as the first domestic case to promote ecological restoration of idle and damaged sites such as abandoned industrial spaces.

The province plans to create a metropolitan ecological hub by linking the former Janghang Smelter area with the Seocheon mudflats through this project.

The project site covers a total area of 560,000㎡. From 2024 to 2029, the province will invest a total of 91.3 billion KRW to carry out four detailed projects: wetland restoration, urban ecological restoration (creation of ecological forests), installation of observation facilities, and creation of trails.

The wetland restoration project aims to promote biodiversity by creating resting places for migratory birds in the Geum River estuary basin and to establish a testbed for enhancing wetland functions for carbon absorption. This project is expected to receive 47.5 billion KRW in funding.

The urban ecological restoration (ecological forest creation) project will invest 26.2 billion KRW to create ecological forests to enhance ecosystem services for the public, such as carbon absorption and climate change mitigation.

The ecological forest will include healing forest trails, natural playgrounds, meditation decks, and wind bathing areas, where the province plans to provide ecological education and experiences.

The observation facility project aims to equip facilities that allow the public to observe the restored wetlands and migratory birds and other wildlife, raising awareness of the necessity and importance of ecological restoration. This project will receive a budget of 11.6 billion KRW.

The trail creation project focuses on installing a 4 km-long trail throughout the project site, including wetlands and ecological forests, with an investment of 6 billion KRW.

Ahn Jae-su, Director of the Climate and Environment Bureau of the province, said, “The Janghang National Wetland Restoration Project is a project that restores the ecosystem damaged by the operation of the former Janghang Smelter and returns it to residents and nature.” He added, “The province will strive to pass the preliminary feasibility study and create a leading case that restores the natural environment of Janghang-eup and drives regional development.”