Formation of Task Force and Systematic Planning
Initiating Restoration Work for a Healthy Ecological Forest
Yeongdeok County in North Gyeongsang Province has launched a large-scale project to restore forests, overcoming the pain caused by the wildfire that broke out at the end of March.
Yeongdeok County, overcoming the scars of wildfires, is actively promoting a "Green Forest" restoration project.
On March 22, a wildfire that started in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, spread simultaneously to other areas, burning a total area of 16,207 hectares over four days. The disaster resulted in 66 casualties, including 10 fatalities, and damaged the homes of more than 1,600 households, causing significant suffering for the community.
In response, Yeongdeok County formed a task force to support disaster victims and restore the affected areas. The county established a plan to simultaneously protect the livelihoods of affected residents and restore the natural ecosystem. It has completed the provision of temporary housing for disaster victims and is systematically carrying out forest restoration work, including emergency logging, erosion control projects, and support for forest households.
First, the county has carried out emergency logging on 398 hectares of burned forest and is simultaneously conducting erosion control work at 123 sites across 20 districts to prevent landslides and soil runoff.
In particular, efforts are focused on removing damaged trees and implementing urgent erosion control projects near residential areas. By carefully managing the work schedule and post-project maintenance according to the season, the county aims to prevent additional damage from natural disasters such as heavy summer rains and typhoons, thereby minimizing secondary damage.
Direct economic support is also being provided to residents in the affected areas. As Yeongdeok County is the largest producer of wild pine mushrooms (Songi) in the region, many forest households that harvest Songi have suffered significant losses due to the wildfire.
To address this, Yeongdeok County has completed the payment of special consolation funds to Songi-harvesting households affected by the disaster and plans to finish distributing restoration funds for damaged forest crops by early August.
Additionally, the county plans to complete a project to supply alternative crops to replace Songi by the end of the year, accelerating support for affected forest households. Plans to provide support through donations are also underway.
Kim Kwangyeol, the county governor, stated, "Although the wildfire has dealt a severe blow to the local ecosystem and the lives of residents, we will turn this crisis into an opportunity to restore and create an even healthier and more beautiful forest. We will take full responsibility not only for forest restoration but also for supporting residents and managing the area in the future."
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