By Kim Jin-heon
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Thanks to this geographical trait, a 27km-long Dongcheon River runs from the north and meets Suncheon Bay Gardens in the south.
The wetland is well known for its mudflats, huge fields of reeds and migratory birds such as hooded cranes, spoonbills and whooper swans in winter. This panoramic scenery has lured many visitors, including photographers, who consider the Dongcheon a lifeline to wildlife.
The river was previously not well managed. Distilleries discharged wastewater illegally into it and, unfortunately, authorities turned a blind eye to these activities. Still worse, garbage littered the river and its surroundings. From 1994, some citizen groups helped save the river by cleaning up the trash.
In 2002, the Suncheon Youth Festival was held during the country's summer vacation. Some teachers then suggested ideas to make the river brighter. One was for art teachers and students to paint a mural on the riverbank and they did so over a period of three years.
Their activity encouraged civic organizations to concentrate on saving the river. For instance, they pressed City Hall to help better manage it. Some conscientious groups even persuaded Suncheon City to develop the river by emphasizing the symbiotic importance of it to the Suncheon Bay Wetlands.
At long last, the Dongcheon River refurbishment project (from 2004 to 2010) was completed. Many parks were created, trees were planted along the river, bike routes and trails were constructed and other improvements made.
As a result of this effort between citizens and the local government, the river was transformed into a space for relaxation and a treasure trove of wildlife.
The mouth of the Dongcheon River was designated as a Ramsar Wetland in 2016, where over 200 species of migratory and nonmigratory birds now live, thanks to abundant food sources. Moreover, plenty of clean water has led the Suncheon Bay Mudflats (designated a Ramsar Wetland in 2006) and the Suncheon Bay Gardens to flourish.
It is clear that rivers that run through cities are easily polluted. Thus, to maintain them, public concern and the local government investment and surveillance are fundamental. To that point, Suncheon City and its citizens realized the importance of the river and have conserved it well.
Such efforts have helped the river preserve its function. For example, its water that links Suncheon Bay Gardens and the Suncheon Bay Mudflats are always clean. The area where the river flows has become the habitat for numerous birds, fish and shellfish, which all help maintain a healthy eco-food chain.
Ecologists say that a life depends on nature. This ultimately means that sunshine, soil and water should be balanced. In other words, if any of them are lacking, it is hard to exist.
Fertile soil and sunshine in Suncheon Bay have helped humans and wildlife live with abundance. Above all, clean water has encouraged the cycle of natural regeneration. This ecological environment is a blessing to nature and to the people of Suncheon.
The writer is an English teacher at Chung-mu High School in South Jeolla Province.
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