hankyoreh

A Ministry of Environment report shows that the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project will endanger dozens of species of animals and plants that have been designated as national treasures by the Cultural Heritage Administration.

According to the environmental impact assessment of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project and “The Environmental Wellness of the Four Major Rivers Ecosystem Report” submitted to the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly by the Ministry of Environment, a close investigation and corresponding countermeasures are needed to protect various national treasures or endangered species endemic to the area, including fish, mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles. The reports specifically indicate that the weirs could harm swampland, thus effecting a large number of endangered species.

The two documents compiled by Ministry of Environment asked for immediate protections for the otter and wildcat, which have both been designated as a national treasure and an endangered species, respectively. The wildcat’s habitat is located in the same area as the bicycle road that is to be built adjacent to the riverbank.

The environmental wellness report also names the Nakdong River as the river that will require the most safeguards as dozens of animals which are near extinction inhabit the area. It also mentions that development along or in the Han River could possibly threaten some species of animals and plants including the Uhreumchi (barbel freshwater species endemic to South Korea).

Critics of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, however, are saying the protections recommended in the report and the environmental impact assessment are insufficient. For example, both documents merely suggest that the Danyangssukbujangi (a wild chrysanthemum) either remain in a reserved habitat or be removed to another area.

In response, Kim Ik-su, a professor emeritus in biology at Jeonbuk University said, “To move a species with a population in the tens of thousands that is endemic to an area is impossible.” He added, “The findings from the environmental impact assessment seem to suggest that we should prevent this construction plan that will result in many harmful effects on the ecosystem from taking place.”

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]