Nakdonggang Hagutduk Opened Permanently from Today... Ecological Restoration Begins in Earnest

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The sluice gates of the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage will be permanently opened from the 18th to restore the ecosystem. This is the first time in 35 years since the barrage was constructed in 1987.

On the morning of the same day, the Ministry of Environment held the "Nakdong River Estuary Brackish Water Ecosystem Restoration Vision Report Meeting" at the Nakdong River Estuary Barrage Observatory in Eulsukdo, Busan Metropolitan City, where they announced the achievements and vision so far and opened the sluice gates to allow the first seawater inflow of the year.

The meeting was attended by Han Jeong-ae, Minister of Environment; Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan; Lee Jin-ae, Chairperson of the Nakdong River Basin Water Management Committee's private sector; Park Jae-hyun, President of Korea Water Resources Corporation; and local residents, who observed the seawater flowing into the upstream of the barrage.

Based on the "Nakdong River Estuary Brackish Water Ecosystem Restoration Plan" approved by the Nakdong River Basin Water Management Committee on the 9th, the Ministry of Environment plans to create a "Nakdong River Estuary where healthy ecology and happy life coexist."

The main content of the Nakdong River Estuary Brackish Water Ecosystem Restoration Plan promoted by the Ministry of Environment is to establish a stable brackish water zone within 15 km upstream of the barrage. In addition, while promoting ecological restoration projects, they plan to monitor the changes caused by these projects in the mid to long term.

They will strengthen monitoring of salinity changes in rivers, soil, and groundwater caused by seawater inflow and proactively prevent salinity damage to improve the environment of the western Nakdong River basin. They also plan to share the restoration outcomes of the brackish water ecosystem, such as revitalizing ecological tourism in the Nakdong River Estuary, with local communities and devise ways for citizens to experience these benefits.

From today until the end of March, seawater will be introduced upstream of the barrage during three tidal periods (February 18?20, March 1?5, and March 18?21).

By the end of the year, seawater will be introduced upstream of the barrage during every possible tidal period each month to create a brackish water zone close to natural conditions, and the ecological, environmental, and facility impacts upstream and downstream of the barrage will be continuously monitored accordingly.

Minister of Environment Han Jeong-ae said, "Farmers will cultivate crops without worry with clean water, fishermen will catch eels again, and fish will freely move between the sea and river. We will do our best to create a Nakdong River Estuary where healthy ecology and happy life coexist."

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