Changwon Special City Fully Opens Junam Reservoir Trail to Citizens

Access Restrictions Lifted Starting from the 9th

The Junam Reservoir trail, a favorite spot for Changwon citizens and tourists, is finally opening.

Changwon City in Gyeongnam Province will lift the access restrictions around Junam Reservoir (Ramsar Culture Center, Birdwatching Tower, Ecological Learning Center), which have been suspended since November 2 last year due to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), and will fully open the area starting from the 9th.

Gyeongnam Changwon Special City opens the Junam Reservoir trail, a popular spot among Changwon citizens and tourists.

After a greater white-fronted goose carcass found near Junam Reservoir on February 5 was confirmed to have highly pathogenic AI, the city decided to lift all access restrictions after 4 weeks (28 days) passed without any further bird carcass discoveries or AI confirmations.

Currently, most of the winter migratory birds have headed north, and the remaining birds are expected to complete their northward migration soon. Before lifting the access restrictions, the city is preparing to welcome visitors by cleaning and maintaining the trail environment.

Junam Reservoir is recognized as one of Korea’s representative migratory bird habitats and a major resting place for Changwon citizens.

Lee Do-myeong, head of the Junam Reservoir Division, said, “Although the AI access restrictions are lifted, the possibility of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks remains. We plan to continue surveillance activities nationwide around the reservoir’s waterside and nearby farmlands until the AI alert level is fully lifted.”