Sinan-gun, Expanding Projects for Ecosystem Conservation and Migratory Bird Habitat Development

Leading the Conservation of Migratory Birds and Habitats, Contributing to Local Residents' Income Generation

Birds of the Melospiza genus that eat millet (Seosuk) harvested in autumn and sown the following spring (Photo by Sinan-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Woo-ryang) announced on the 30th that it will expand the "Migratory Bird Feed Cultivation" project aimed at creating habitats for migratory birds in the island areas around Heuksan-myeon, a major migratory route and stopover point for migratory birds, to promote coexistence with residents, revitalize villages, and increase income.

The project provides food and resting places for migratory birds and involves signing and implementing contracts for ecosystem conservation while giving incentives to residents to promote migratory bird conservation and biodiversity. Sinan-gun has been conducting this project annually since 2016.

The county cultivates foxtail millet (Seosuk) and sorghum on fallow land in villages, providing 50% of the harvest as food and resting places for migratory birds passing through the Heuksan area in autumn.

Additionally, 50% of the harvest is stored in autumn and supplied as supplementary food during the migratory bird movement period in the following spring.

This migratory bird feed cultivation project creates a mutually beneficial effect for both migratory birds and residents.

Monitoring results comparing project sites and non-project sites showed that twice as many migratory birds used the project sites. Residents participating in the project also positively evaluate it, as cultivating migratory bird feed on fallow fields has revitalized villages, raised awareness of bird protection, and contributed to income increases.

Due to these effects, there have been many inquiries from residents on nearby islands around Heuksando Main Island who wish to participate in the project.

Until last year, cultivation was conducted on 34,078㎡ by 40 households only on Heuksan Main Island, but to maximize the project's effects, the county decided to expand the habitat creation project area to 41,660㎡ this year, including nearby islands such as Gageodo, Manjaedo, Taedo, Daedundo, and Yeongsando.

Furthermore, after cultivating foxtail millet and sorghum, the county is also considering planting winter cabbage (spring cabbage) to supply food for wintering birds that visit during the food-scarce winter season.

The county will accept applications for feed cultivation for the migratory bird habitat creation project from the 30th until May 13th, and after screening and on-site inspections, cultivation is scheduled to begin in May.

A Sinan-gun official stated, "The migratory bird feed cultivation project is a very valuable project in that it forms a new ecological environmental culture where local residents take the lead in contributing to the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats," and added, "As a biosphere reserve area, Sinan-gun plans to further expand policies for environmental conservation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.