Gwangju Nam-gu, Ministry of Environment Promotes 'Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Fund Refund Project'

Creation of Little Owl Habitat Behind POSCO in Bongseon-dong

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (District Mayor Kim Byeong-nae) announced on the 9th that the area around Bongseon 2 Neighborhood Park near Jeseoksan has been selected as the project target area for the ‘2021 Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Fund Return Project’ conducted by the Ministry of Environment. By October, 430 million KRW will be invested to remodel the area into a space for ecosystem restoration and experiential learning.

The Ecosystem Conservation Cooperation Fund Return Project is a project under the Natural Environment Conservation Act, where the Minister of Environment imposes cooperation fees on businesses that have a significant impact on the ecosystem or cause a decrease in biodiversity, and uses the funds to restore and conserve the damaged ecosystem.

Nam-gu plans to restore the original terrain and soil of the farmland-damaged area in Bongseon 2 Neighborhood Park, located behind POSCO Apartments in Bongseon-dong, and plant purification plants that prevent soil contamination to increase plant species diversity.

In addition, to promote the stability of the ecosystem food chain of birds, amphibians, and insects, dietary plants that provide food for each species, water, and resting spaces will be prepared.

In particular, during the investigation around Jeseoksan, residents frequently reported the appearance of the sojikkae (a forest bird), and since the project area is adjacent to Mudeungsan National Park, it was judged that the inflow of the forest bird sojikkae is possible. A multi-layered forest will be created to provide shelter for the sojikkae.

Along with this, an oak forest will be created in the buffer green zone connecting the forest and nearby residential areas, and a biotope learning center and ecological observation space will be established to learn about the wild animals and plants inhabiting the ecological restoration site.

A Nam-gu official said, “Bongseon 2 Neighborhood Park, located at the foot of Jeseoksan, is an area with high accessibility for urban residents using the walking trails. We will restore this area as a habitat for living organisms to promote ecosystem recovery and help residents understand the importance of forest edges, thereby enhancing ecological sensitivity.”

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