UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme met in Paris last week and added 18 new sites in 12 countries to the World Network of Biosphere Reserves and extended eight existing biosphere reserves including Jeju island.

Todd Thacker reports.

UNESCO's Biosphere Reserve designation for Jeju Island now covers the entire province.

The United Nations agency has recognized Hallasan Mountain, the Gotjawal forest, Jeju’s hundreds of volcanic cones, its coastal waters, and its smaller outlying islands.

[slug] UNESCO acknowledges Jeju’s biological diversity

In order to help preserve global biodiversity on land, the coast, and the oceans, and to find ways to promote sustainable development, UNESCO studies and then designates biosphere reserves around the world.

[slug] Designation in 2002 covers areas 200m above sea level

It was back in December 2002 that Jeju was first named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That was limited to the area of Hallasan Mountain measuring over 200 meters above sea level.

The designation was the second in the nation following (설악산) Seoraksan Mountain in (강원) Gangwon-do Province.



At this year’s UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme meeting in Paris, the designation was extended to cover 100 percent of the island’s surface. This includes its coastal waters up to 5.5 kilometers offshore, its smaller nearby islands and (추자도) Chujado Island.

This is five times larger than the original designated area of 83,000 hectares. It is now just over 387,000 hectares.



[slug] Province working on plans for preservation, utilization

The province has been working towards this new assessment for the last two years. During that time it carried out feasibility studies and sought public opinion.

Now, the province is developing plans to improve the integrated and effective conservation of its biodiversity. It also aims to improve the quality of life of residents by helping them benefit from the extension.

INTERVIEW
Jo In-suk / Representative, Hallasan National Park research team, Jeju World Natural Heritage Center
We can use the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve logo for various local products. Hands-on ecology tour programs will help help boost the local economy as well.
<인터뷰 : 조인숙 / 제주도 세계유산본부 한라산연구부 >
"생물권보전지역 브랜드를 다양한 제품에 활용할 수 있게 됐고요. 생태 체험관광을 활성화해서 지역 주민들의 이익 창출과 지역경제 활성화에 기여할 것으로 기대하고 있습니다."

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Jwa Sang-eun
[CG] Kim Eun-gyo

Provincial officials are now developing specific implementation and management plans on how to proceed in a sustainable fashion. Their findings are expected in October.

Todd Thacker, KCTV