DMZ treasure trove of wildlife, plants: report

SEOUL, Oct. 4 (Yonhap) -- The demilitarized zone (DMZ) that acts as the de facto
land border between the two Koreas is a treasure trove of wildlife and plant
life, a report by a state-run research institute said Sunday.
The on-site inspections were carried out for five days last month in the central
part of the 248km-long, 4km-wide DMZ. The study showed 450 different species of
animals, insects, birds, fish and plants living in the region, the National
Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) said.
The survey was conducted around Cheorwon County, 90km northeast of Seoul, and
resulted in the discovery of several endangered species and wetlands.
The DMZ was created as a demarcation line for military forces following the
1950-53 Korean War. With the exception of armed patrols and guard posts, the land
is uninhabited and off-limits to people, making it an ideal ecological habitat
for all sorts of wildlife.
The NIER said its researchers found 334 different kinds of plant life, including
nine very rare specimens, along with 87 varieties of insects, 20 freshwater fish,
11 mammals and 45 birds. In addition, 10 types of amphibians and reptiles were
discovered, including a large snake species that is on the endangered species
list.
The research agency and the Ministry of Environment said that the lack of
development and human presence has created a unique ecosystem made up of swamps,
forests and waterways plentiful in wildlife.
The agency said the total number of species found this year surpasses the 348
found in the western corridor of the DMZ last year, when the country conducted
its first survey.
Seoul plans to conduct detailed surveys on the eastern part of the DMZ by 2011 to
get a comprehensive picture of the environment and establish preservation plans
that may include registering the entire region as a wildlife reserve with United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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