By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
For the past 58 years, the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea has been a place for military and security purposes only. With human access thoroughly restricted, it has become a prestigious natural habitat.
With more than 180 types of flora and fauna, 13 of which are government designated natural treasures, the zone could become an international acclaimed natural heritage site, a joint research team of government officials, historians and environment and culture experts said in its interim report Friday.
For the first time since 1953, the team conducted research on the 907 square kilometers of land encompassing six streams, 37 mountains and 32 wetlands.
The Yeoncheon Prairie wetlands, especially, consist of unpolluted habitats with clean water.
``They used to be farming and residential areas, however, since human access has been restricted for the past 55 years, they have now become home to 50 animal and 12 plant species. The region crystallizes the changing patterns of nature,'' Prof. Kim Kwi-gon of Seoul National University, who heads the project, said.
Thousands of migratory birds including endangered species such as red-crowned cranes can be found at the DMZ. The team expects to include the Daeseongdong reservoir on the Ramsar Convention protection list.
However, there were not many mammals living in the western part of the DMZ and experts advised the government to halt a plan to release six tigers there. ``We are not sure the right environment exists for the animals,'' Han Sang-hun of the Korea National Park Corporation said.
The study will continue until 2010 as part of the government's plan to build an eco-friendly peace park in the zone. Officials are seeking to have the area designated a biosphere belt by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.