Gochang-gun Confirmed as Internationally Certified 'Ramsar Wetland City'

Published 30 May.2022 09:45(KST)

[Gochang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jaegil] Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk, was finally confirmed as a ‘Ramsar City’ at the ‘59th Ramsar Convention Standing Committee’ held in Gland, Switzerland on the 26th.

According to the county on the 30th, a ‘Ramsar City’ is a certification system adopted to provide an opportunity for ecological urban branding to cities that maintain a strong and positive relationship with Ramsar wetlands.

The county is known to have received favorable reviews for the active participation of the local community in Ungok Wetland and tidal flats.

Gochang Ungok Wetland was registered as a Ramsar wetland in April 2011 and is rich in biodiversity, home to 830 species including endangered species such as otters and martens.

In 2014, it was designated as a national ecological tourism site by the Ministry of Environment and has been recognized as one of the world’s top 100 sustainable tourist destinations and the best tourism village by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN WTO), attracting attention as an international ecological tourism spot.

Gochang tidal flats were registered as a Ramsar wetland in December 2010 and are a treasure trove of marine biological ecosystems, inhabited by 90 species of waterbirds including the endangered black-faced spoonbill, 225 species of large benthic organisms, and 26 species of halophytes.

In July last year, it was also registered as Korea’s second World Natural Heritage site under the name ‘Korean Tidal Flats.’

Since the designation as a Ramsar wetland, the county has continuously promoted activities together with the local community, such as enacting local government ordinances for systematic management of major wetlands, restoration projects for the improved areas of Ungok Wetland, restoration projects for the Gochang tidal flat ecosystem, and raising awareness of wetland value.

With the recent confirmation as a Ramsar City, the county will be able to use the internationally recognized ‘Ramsar’ symbolic brand for six years and will receive continuous support from the government.

A county official said, “We expect that the clean image of Gochang’s agricultural specialties will be further established through this Ramsar City certification,” and added, “We will continue to strive to enhance the competitiveness of the Gochang brand and expand income generation for residents.”