Ulsan City Launches Bamboo Shoot Protection Initiative in Taehwagang National Garden Bamboo Groves

Operation of the "Sipri Bamboo Grove Bamboo Shoot Protection Volunteer Group" until the end of June
Monitoring and requesting cooperation to prevent unauthorized collection or damage of garden plants and bamboo shoots

The city of Ulsan is launching an initiative to protect bamboo shoots within the bamboo groves of Taehwagang National Garden.

Taehwagang National Garden.

The city announced that until June 30, a "Bamboo Shoot Protection Volunteer Group" made up of members from the Sipri Bamboo Grove Volunteer Association (organized into nine teams) will monitor and crack down on the unauthorized harvesting or damaging of bamboo shoots in the bamboo groves.

The bamboo groves in Taehwagang National Garden are located in the Taehwa District (110,000 square meters) and Samho District (155,000 square meters), and are home to a variety of bamboo species, including Wangdae, Maengjongjuk, Ojuk, and Gugapjuk.

Bamboo shoots grow for three months each year, from April to June. Among these, the shoots in the Maengjongjuk cluster near the Naturalist Garden emerge first, typically around the end of April.

Accordingly, starting this year, the city plans to expand surveillance activities not only to protect bamboo shoots in the Sipri Bamboo Grove, but also to prevent the theft of garden plants within the Naturalist Garden.

In particular, from May, when bamboo shoots begin to sprout in earnest, special patrol teams will be organized to operate during the vulnerable early morning hours.

Sipri Bamboo Grove. Photo by Park Yuhwan

Vulnerable areas will be closely monitored using security cameras, and patrols will be significantly strengthened in cooperation with the local police station.

In addition, the city plans to install informational signs and conduct public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the value and importance of bamboo shoots, in order to prevent theft.

An Ulsan city official stated, "Anyone who harvests or damages bamboo shoots may face severe penalties under Article 366 (Destruction of Property, etc.) and Article 329 (Theft of Public Property) of the Criminal Act, so we urge citizens to exercise special caution." The official also requested, "We ask that all citizens become guardians to help protect the bamboo shoots and preserve the bamboo groves of Taehwagang National Garden."