 A lotus field in Daho Village, Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. Ahead of Ramsar meeting, the city has designated 18 villages near Junam Reservoir as environment villages, and Daho is one of them. |
By Kim RahnStaff Reporter
Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province, the host city for the 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Wetlands, shortly Ramsar COP10, is making a last-minute effort for the event to be held from Oct. 28-Nov. 4.
Chanagwon used to be far from environmental-friendly. Large-scale factory complexes and residential districts have been set up there for the last 30 years, following the government's heavy chemical industry promotion projects. The facilities have been partial causes of air and water pollution in the region.
However, the city has landscaped many parks in recent years with a vision to promote itself as ``the world's environmental capital'' by 2020.
``We believe the conference will create momentum for the city to develop the plan,'' said the city Mayor Park Wan-su.
For the vision of an eco city, the city plans to lower the levels of ozone, sulfurous acid gas and carbon monoxide in the air to that of environmentally advanced cities by 2015, and improve water quality at major streams.
More parks will be set up. Buildings sustaining gardens on rooftops will get subsidies.
``We'll increase public transportation to reduce the use of cars, as well as encourage people to ride bicycles. Changwon citizens, especially children, will have more chances to receive education about the environment,'' Park said.
To cut the use of fossil fuels, the city plans to develop more renewable energy sources, including solar and wind power, and power generating facilities using waste.
As Ramsar COP10 will be a stepping-stone for this aim, Changwon is making efforts for the preparation of the event.
Extension work for Changwon Exhibition Convention Center (CECO), the main venue for the conference, will be finished in August. Eight excursion courses were also developed, which include those to nearby wetlands, such as Junam Reservoir and Upo Wetlands.
The city has prepared accommodation ― a new hotel was opened in June, and participants can try Korean culture in homestay and temple stay programs. Shuttle buses connecting hotels, CECO and Gimhae International Airport are also available.
Some 400 volunteers and 60 interpreters are receiving training so as to provide quality service.
Changwon is also promoting projects to commemorate the COP10. It is building a Ramsar center near the reservoir, with exhibition halls and education facilities in it. ``We have asked experts on wetlands and migratory birds as well as previous host cities of the conference to donate exhibition articles for the center,'' the mayor said.
A Ramsar wetland park is also being readied for completion in September. The city will have the opening ceremony for the center and the park during the conference.
``The preparation has almost been completed. People will be able to see that Changwon is Korea's capital in terms of environment. We urge all the nation's attention and support for the conference,'' Park said.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
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