The Chimsil wetlands, found along the Seomjingang River in Gokseong-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province, are best-known for its misty landscapes at the break of dawn.
The Seomjingang River’s Chimsil Wetlands (섬진강 침실습지), known for their misty landscapes at daybreak and stunning scenery at sundown, have been designated as Korea’s 22nd wetland conservation area.
The Ministry of Environment announced on Nov. 7 that the Chimsil Wetlands, located between Gokseong-gun County in Jeollanam-do Province and Namwon City in Jeollabuk-do Province, are now officially a protected area.
The wetlands take up more than 2 million square meters in the middle and upper reaches of the Seomjingang River, offering a stable ecosystem for a wide variety of endangered species.
A bird’s-eye view of the Chimsil Wetlands this August, looking along the Seomjingang River toward the north.
The Chimsil Wetlands are found in the middle and upper reaches of the Seomjingang River. They’re home to over 665 species of wildlife, including endangered animals like the otter and the white-tailed sea eagle.
There are over 665 species of wildlife living in or near the wetlands, from near threatened endangered species, like the wild otter and the white-tailed sea eagle, to least concern endangered species, including the wildcat, the freshwater tortoise, the sparrow hawk, the Korean buzzard and the falcon. The wetlands’ gravel sandbanks are an ideal habitat for some 17 types of indigenous fish, like the Rhodeus uyekii (각시붕어), the Tanaka koreensis (칼납자루) and the Korean splendid dace (쉬리), belonging to the carp family.
The Ministry of Environment has plans to carry out more extensive research on the ecosystem in the wetlands, and will increase surveillance to prevent damage to the natural habitat. There will be trails, observation decks and notice boards put up around the area so that visitors can enjoy the wetlands while visiting the nearby Seomjingang train village or the Gokseong Seomjingang River Observatory.
The list of national wetland protection zones includes: six riverside wetlands, including areas around the Hangang and Nakdonggang rivers; 11 mountain range wetlands, including the Daeamsan Mountain Yongneup swamp (대암산 용늪) and the Hwaeumneup Wetlands (화엄늪); and four lakeside wetlands, including the Ungok Wetlands in Gochang-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province.
By Lee Hana
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Ministry of Environment
hlee10@korea.kr
