○ Gyeonggi Province will create a taskforce team; Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Center to be run under its direct control

– Promotion of more systematic conservation and management on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of UNESCO designation

○ Implementation of various policies and projects with related agencies, organizations, and local residents

– Establishment of 2021–2025 Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plan

– Public contest to be held to name the Gwangneung Forest Ecological Culture Trail (Bongseonsa Temple to Forest Practice Research Center)

– Event celebrating 10th anniversary of designation to be held on June 2

– Promotion of sustainable resident support projects, such as BR brand commercialization of Gwangneung Forest

Gyeonggi Province announced on March 17 that it will assume direct control of the Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Center, which has been operated through consignment, from this year.

This move is aimed at promoting the more systematic conservation and management of UNESCO’s Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve, which marks the 10th anniversary of its designation this year.

Notably, since there will be a evaluation conducted this year, one that is carried out every 10 years under the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Gyeonggi Province plans to promote its status as a world-caliber repository of history, culture, nature and ecology.

To this end, the provincial government announced that it will form a new Gwangneung Forest Management Center Taskforce Team to be deployed to the management center to reinforce on-site management functions and further improve the three major functions of the biosphere reserve, which are conservation, development, and support.

Of particular note, to mark the 10th anniversary of its designation, Gyeonggi Province will implement a wide variety of policies and projects so as to realize a Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve that is “jointly cultivated and conserved” in cooperation with a range of agencies and organizations, such as the Korea Forest Service, the Cultural Heritage Administration, Namyangju City, Uijeongbu City, and Pocheon City, as well as NGOs and local residents.

First, the provincial government plans to establish the 2021–2025 Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve Management Plan, which will contain measures to establish a world-caliber UNESCO protected area in the northern region of the province in conjunction with the Yeoncheon Imjingang River Biosphere Reserve and the Hantangang River World Geopark.

The government also plans to launch a public contest to select a new name for the 4-kilometer-long section between Bongseonsa Temple and the Forest Practice Research Center, the most popular course among the eight courses created between 2017 and 1919, and to operate this course as a “prestigious forest trail” for public enjoyment.

In addition, Gyeonggi Province will hold ecological events, such as a “car-free street” on June 2, the date on which the area was designated as a biosphere reserve, so as to affirm its commitment to the next decade and create a Gwangneung Forest without airborne dust or smoke concerns. At the same time, Gyeonggi will hold expert lectures and discussions to promote understanding and active participation among local residents regarding the biosphere reserve.

In addition, the plan is to add fresh impetus to resident income generation and local economic revitalization by increasing added value through connections between products produced within the reserve and the brand of the UNESCO Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve.

“We will remain fully committed to systematic management and development of policies so as to ensure that the Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve coexists with local residents while realizing sustainable development and conservation,” said Lee Sung-gyu, Director of Gyeonggi Province’s Forest Division.

A “biosphere reserve” is an area designated by UNESCO to promote biodiversity conservation, community development and cultural value preservation; 701 such locations have been designated in 124 countries, with eight in South Korea and five in North Korea.

The Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve is the fourth to be designated in Korea following Seoraksan Mountain, Jeju Island, and Sinan Dadohae.