Botanical garden of native plants to be created for conservation and study on forest biodiversity at the DMZ

- KFS plans to complete botanical garden by 2013 in Hae-an-myeon, Yanggu-gun,


Korea Forest Service is planning to create the National DMZ Botanical Garden of 152 ha within the DMZ district (at Mandae-ri, Hye-an-myeon, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon Province), recognizing the rich biodiversity within the area, and aiming to observe, conserve, and develop its resources.





75% of the DMZ is forest and KFS has designated protected forests on 83,000 ha within this area. The KFS-designated protected forests in the DMZ include Protected Area for Genetic Resources Conservation (51,000ha) and Baekdudaegan Mountains (32,000 ha).





The needs have been raised to create more systematic mechanism to research and study these rich botanical resources.





The candidate site for the botanical garden in Yanggu-gun is symbolic in terms of geological location and historical background. Not to mention, forest covers 80% of this area and its natural environment is very well preserved.





KFS is to work on the botanical garden for 5 years and complete its establishment by 2013. It is ambitious to develop this botanical garden into the mecca for biological studies on native species in the northern regions of the Korean Peninsula and international studies on forest ecology and environment.





The work plan for the botanical garden was established last year, and KFS is planning to undertake land compensation and begin construction works this year. Gardening and landscape works will be undertaken from 2011 through 2013 and the botanical garden is to open in 2014.





Main facilities for the botanical garden will include conservation and propagation lab, exhibit garden for native plants in the northern regions, international research center, and outdoor garden path.





The botanical garden is expected to highly increase the area''s ecological value as well as create education and income opportunities for local communities which will lead to solving conflict with the residents caused by the development restriction imposed in this area.




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