Gochang-gun Hosts 'Gochang Gaetbul School Workshop'

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Jeonbuk Gochang-gun held the ‘2022 Gochang Mudflat School Workshop’ over two days on the 6th and 7th at the Ramsar Gochang Mudflat Center in Simwon-myeon.

According to the county on the 8th, this workshop was held under the theme ‘The Value and Roadmap of Gochang Mudflat as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site,’ with over 80 participants including related experts, civic groups, and officials from related institutions.

To commemorate the inscription of Gochang Mudflat as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, the workshop promoted its excellence and discussed future directions for mudflat conservation and management.

On the first day, presentations and discussions were held by experts and ecological environmental organizations on the value and significance of Gochang Mudflat as a World Natural Heritage site, management roadmap, and species diversity.

Participants recognized that Gochang Mudflat is a globally rare geological ecological resource showing various mudflat sedimentation patterns of sand, silt, and mixed mudflats, and is valuable as a biodiversity conservation habitat and a stopover site for migratory birds.

They also emphasized the need for specific measures such as expanding the World Heritage area, establishing development strategies harmonizing fishermen and the mudflat ecosystem, and integrated management among local governments for the sustainable development of Gochang Mudflat as a World Heritage site.

On the second day, about 30 participants including members of EAAFP (East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership) and local guides from Gochang-gun took part in migratory bird observation at Gochang Mudflat and an ecological exploration of Jukdo, an uninhabited island.

Participants had a meaningful time personally experiencing the ecosystem of Gochang Mudflat by watching various migratory birds such as the Far Eastern Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, and Black-faced Spoonbill hunting in sync with the rising tide.

A county official said, “The World Natural Heritage Gochang Mudflat is a precious asset that all humanity should cherish and pass on to future generations,” adding, “We will continue to devote efforts to preserving and promoting the value of Gochang Mudflat.”

Meanwhile, in July last year, Gochang Mudflat was inscribed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site at the 44th World Heritage Committee along with Sinan Mudflat, Suncheon Boseong Mudflat, and Seocheon Mudflat.

Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil gjg7070@asiae.co.kr

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