 This photo is assumed to be the last photo of native crested ibis that dates back to 1976 at the Demilitarized Zone that separates South and North Korea. The birds are noted to be extinct here and are also known to be on the verge of extinction worldwide, too. The photo was released by George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, at the Ramsar Convention Friday. / Yonhap |
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
For the past 55 years, the demilitarized zone (DMZ) used to be a place for military and security purposes only. However, with human access thoroughly restricted, it has become a place with a unique natural ecosystem where wildlife resides.
With peace slowly opening up on the Korean peninsula, more and more experts are looking into the possible sustainable use of the area ― opening up limited parts of it as an eco-park to let people see the biological diversity in the area.
At the ``Preserving Biological Diversity of the Demilitarized Zone for Nature and Humans'' session held Friday at the Ramsar Convention, experts from around the world including George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, and DMZ Forum Board of Trustees member Hall Healy shared their ideas on adopting sustainable tourism to the area and also bringing back biological diversity to North Korea.
According to Park Eun-jin, a researcher at the Gyeonggi Research Institute, the DMZ has unique ecological system. Through 55 years of the Cold war, both military sides have been setting fires, spraying huge amounts of weed killer as well as releasing foreign species in the zone that have had an adverse effect on the system. But it has also brought diversity to the creatures in the area. Additionally, the DMZ has become home to many endangered birds as well as providing temporary dwelling places for certain migratory birds.
However, the bleak situation in the region is seeing the loss of many such residents. According to Archibald, the Anbyeon region in the North has been a place for migratory cranes to spend the winter or at least to a rest on their long trip to Cheorlwon in Gangwon Province. However, the place has seen serious ruin and the number of cranes visiting is decreasing every year.
Archibald said that cultivation in the area has brought anxiety to the animals as more people enter the area and farming methods have resulted in food shortages for them. Local residents' ignorance as regards the cranes may have contributed significantly to the decline.
The 100 square kilometer area was designated as one of the essential areas for conservation.
The use of the DMZ as an ecological park has long been discussed by experts worldwide. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 1989 suggested a ``DMZ International Peace Nature Park'' project to the two Koreas through the United Nations Environment Program.
A Peace-Eco Tourism Belt was suggested by local and international experts who plan to enlist the zone with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization.
Researcher Park stressed that should the place be designated as a UNESCO biosphere belt, the DMZ will see worldwide ecology experts' researching to find its exact value and potential. ``Also, it will be a perfect opportunity to make money through tourists and other visitors,'' Park added.
At the conference, detailed plans were drawn to make ``wise use of the DMZ'' through:
First, setting up a preservation plan for the creatures in Mintongseon; designating a civilian access area, and developing a protocol for an eco-structured tourism infrastructure.
Second, a joint venture with the North to support the nearby area of Mintongseon.
Third, drawing out the so-called Peace Eco-Nature Tourism Belt covering both Koreas, and pushing the region for UNESCO enlistment as well as creating sustainable tourism in the region.
``In the big picture, the education of local residents and military post members will be essential. We will also hold a National Trust campaign to let all people participate in preserving the area and its ecosystem,'' Park said.
``Also in order to preserve the region perfectly, we will have to pay extra attention to the nearby areas ― Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province. It will be a great opportunity to take care of nearly half of the nation,'' she said.
bjs@koreatimes.co.kr
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