Workshop
Conservation of Migratory Waterbirds and Wetlands in the DPRK

Felix Glenk, DPRK Projekt Manager of HSF Korea

HSS

Dr. Lew Young, Chief Executive of EAAFP, gave an overview of the conservation of migratory water birds and wetlands in the DPRK with a focus on the Mundok region. Felix Glenk, Project Manager of DPRK for HSF Korea, detailed the project of the foundation in Sangseo-ri to support sustainable reforestation and then introduced the joint work on wetland conservation since 2015. Both speakers stressed that the joint efforts in Rason, Mundok, and other protected areas in North Korea are crucial for the conservation of wetlands and biodiversity. Mr. Glenk highlighted the need to enhance international networks with North Korea to provide detailed knowledge for the nation’s environmental development, and Dr. Lew Young furthered this stance by pinpointing that even if the North Korea-US summit is not as successful, efforts to further conservation in the DPRK should continue as such goals should be regarded apolitical. If the summit were to succeed, he noted that we ought to be ready and quick in supplying knowledge and assistance to the DPRK.

Dr. Nial Moores of Birds Korea

HSS

Other speakers also noted the interest of North Korea in conservatory efforts. Dr. Nial Moores from Birds Korea, for example, discussed that the DPRK has immense interest and willingness to, but just lacks the capacity to advance conservation. He also illustrated the water bird surveys along the East Coast conducted by the organization. Similarly, David Melville from the Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalists Trust talked about the Australasian flyway and shorebird surveys along the West Coast of the DPRK and voiced concern about the decline of biodiversity and migratory shore birds along the border and the Yellow Sea. Both presenters noted the conservation of mudflats key to environmental conservation.

Depending on the results of the North Korea-US summit, political dimensions may or may not change significantly. Nonetheless, what is certain is that NGOs should continue their direct or indirect support of conservation support in cooperation with the DPRK.

More pictures of the event are on our Facebook-Page.

You can find more articles about the conference here:

http://www.incheonilbo.com/…
http://www.kyeongin.com/main/view.php?key=20180611010003799
http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/…/0200000000AKR2018061109520006…