Since the (동백동산) Dongbaek Dongsan wetland in (선흘) Seonheul was added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands, the small village has undergone some significant changes. Area residents are making more money. The community is now gearing up to seek designation as Korea’s first Ramsar Wetland City. Joseph Kim reports.




Report

This is the 300,000 square meter wetlands in (동백동산) Dongbaek Dongsan or camellia hill in the (선흘) Seonheul (곶자왈)gotjawal in (조천읍) Jocheon-eup.

Over 1,600 species of plants and animals inhabit the area which sits on the underlying rocks, a remnant of ancient volcanic activity.

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More visitors since Ramsar designation in 2011

The number of visitors has increased since the Dongbaek Dongsan Wetland was added to the list of Ramsar Wetlands in 2011.

Local food sampling programs for visitors are also gaining popularity.

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Income-making opportunities

Village elders collect acorns from the forests and the women’s association at the community buys them and cooks and sells acorn noodles to visitors. The profit is used for community welfare projects.

INTERVIEW
Park Su-ja / Representative, Seonheul women’s association
When it was put on the List of Ramsar Wetlands in 2011, we didn’t imagine that we could run these kinds of activities using acorns.
[인터뷰 박수자 / 선흘리 새마을부녀회]
"처음에는 전혀 그런 생각을 못하고 람사르 습지로 지정됐구나알고만 있었지..우리가 도토리 주워다 체험프로그램 운영할 줄 전혀 몰랐지.."

The well designed participatory programs have brought in surprising results.
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9 out of every 10 area residents answered that they understand what the designation means.

Interestingly, more than half of residents polled, answered that they are proud of their community after the designation and now more residents participate in wetland monitoring activities and provide guided service for visitors.

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Community now seeking Ramsar Wetland City designation

With residents’ voluntary activities for the preservation of the wetland, the community is now vying for accreditation as a Ramsar Wetland City.

Ramsar Wetland Cities will be chosen at the Ramsar Convention congress in 2018.

If Dongbaek Dongsan is accredited as a Ramsar Wetland City, the wetland will be more effectively protected and the community can generate more profit from various programs for visitors.

INTERVIEW
Go Jae-ryang / Adviser, Ramsar Wetland City committee
The Ramsar Wetland City is an award for communities that properly conserve wetlands. That means area residents could utilize the reputation for income growth. For example, they can add the Ramsar Wetland City logo to local products.
[인터뷰 고제량 / 조천읍 람사르습지도시인증 지역관리위원회 간사]
"습지도시가 주민참여로 보전을 잘 했을때 주는 상 개념이어서 주민들이 이용할 수 있는 브랜드 가치가 높아집니다. 예를 들면 농산물에 람사르 로고를 붙여서 지역농산물에 대한 신뢰를 높여주거나.."

The nation has 21 Ramsar wetlands. Among them, Dongbaek Dongsan in Jocheon-eup and (물영아리) Mulyeongari in (남원읍) Namwon-eup are vying for accreditation as a Ramsar Wetland City.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Moon Ho-seong

The Dongbaek Dongsan wetland earned positive reviews at a preliminary evaluation for resident participation and efforts to protect the area.

The residents hope their efforts could enhance global awareness for their community and help boost the local economy.

Joseph Kim, KCTV