Let's Conserve the Janggu Megi Wetland in Yeongyang, Home to Yellow-Throated Martens, Leopard Cats, and Goshawks... Work Agreement Signed by Daegu Environmental Office and Yeongyang County

by Gu Daeseon

Published 28 Apr.2026 16:20(KST)

The Daegu Regional Environmental Office signed a work agreement on April 28 with Yeongyang County, the National Institute of Ecology, and KT&G Corp. for the conservation of the Nutrient Janggu Megi Wetland ecosystem.

This agreement was established to jointly promote the systematic conservation and management of the Nutrient Janggu Megi Wetland, which was newly designated as a wetland protected area on September 10, 2024, the restoration of wetland ecosystems damaged by wildfires, and the registration of the wetland under the Ramsar Convention.

Nutritional Janggu Megi Wetland

Under the agreement, the Daegu Regional Environmental Office will establish a conservation plan for the Nutrient Janggu Megi Wetland protected area and operate a working council, while Yeongyang County will be responsible for restoration projects in damaged wetland areas and the installation of conservation and use facilities. The National Institute of Ecology will conduct detailed research on the wetland ecosystem and provide technical support and documentation for Ramsar wetland registration. KT&G Corp. will support the planning of wetland conservation activities, promotion of community awareness, and operation of economic revitalization projects.

The Janggu Megi Wetland is a montane wetland located near the summit, formed on abandoned rice paddies that naturally transformed into a wetland through ecological succession after cultivation ceased. The area boasts high biodiversity and provides an important habitat for amphibians and other wild flora and fauna.

In particular, despite the impact on surrounding forest areas from the Gyeongbuk wildfire in March last year, the interior of the wetland sustained relatively minor damage, further highlighting its importance as a regional biodiversity hub.

Eunhee Cho, Head of the Daegu Regional Environmental Office, stated, "Through this agreement, we will closely cooperate with related organizations to systematically conserve and manage the wetland ecosystem." She added, "In particular, we will actively work to develop measures that enable mutual prosperity with local residents, including boosting ecological tourism and implementing ecosystem service payment contracts."

Covering an area of approximately 45,000 square meters in the Posan-ri area of Seokbo-myeon, Yeongyang County, Gyeongbuk, the Janggu Megi Wetland is home to 472 species, including the endangered level II yellow-throated marten. Located at an elevation of 540 to 560 meters atop Meru Mountain, this abandoned rice paddy wetland is inhabited by a variety of wild animals, including six endangered level II species such as the yellow-throated marten, leopard cat, Siberian flying squirrel, fairy pitta, long-tailed shrike, and northern goshawk.