On the 22nd and 29th of last month, Mapo-gu Office in Seoul cut down over 100 40-50 years old acacia trees in Seongmisan Mountain. Seongmisan is a place where 40 species of birds, including the brush owl, a natural monument reside. Provided’People who care for the street trees’
Ahead of the plant work, some local governments have cut down large trees that are decades old to restore ecology, causing friction with the residents. Mapo-gu Office in Seoul mobilized Sapcha (Poclein) on the 22nd of last month while carrying out the’Seongmisan Reorganization Project’ to root out more than 100 acacia trees that are 40-50 years old. The purpose of this project is to maintain old and safe trails and aerobics, and to change the exotic species of acacia into native oak trees.
Poclain in Seongmisan, where the natural monument brush owl flies
However, the residents who were surprised to see a shovel car entering the mountain behind and turning the ground overturned the backlash, saying, “It is ruining the forest of Mt. Seongmi.” They met with representatives of Mapo-gu Office on the 25th of last month and the 1st of this month to protest. On the 15th of this month, we will meet again with the person in charge to discuss the formation of a’resident/gu office council’ related to the reorganization of Mt. Seongmi. Park Jong-hyuk, vice president of’Sandaum’ (Sungmisan Natural Environment Protection Organization), who lives under Mt. “The residents are very angry at the unilateral project without any explanation.” “In Seongmisan, there are 40 species of birds such as four-legged beasts such as raccoons, natural monuments such as brush owls, endangered bird horigi, and bluebirds. Cutting down trees like this can cause ecological disturbance.” (▶ Related article: “Mt. Seongmi made a spring and the birds fly It became an ecological learning center”)
Material photo” alt=”A brush owl, a natural monument, was taken by Lee Min-hyung, Chaebi-um, Seodang Medal at the foot of Mt. Seongmi, Mapo-gu, Seoul. <한겨레> Material photo” />
A brush owl, a natural monument, was taken by Lee Min-hyung, Chaebi-um, Seodang Medal at the foot of Mt. Seongmi, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Material photo
An official from Mapo-gu Office said, “Acacia was planted 40-50 years ago as fast-growing trees (fast-growing trees) and fertilizer trees (a tree that nurtures the power of the land). There was a risk of falling, and related complaints continued to come out and removed.” He said, “I apologize for the surprise of the residents by cutting down many trees at once. “There will be no further tree cutting, and the area where the acacia was dug will soon be restored to native trees starting next week.”
The site of the’Green Area Connection Project’ in Haedung-ro, Dobong-gu, Seoul. Residents filmed with drones and saved videos that were posted on YouTube.
“Is it okay to dig through the thick forest to make an ecological path?”
Dobong-gu is carrying out the’Green Area Connection Road Project’ and has cut 65 large trees such as oak and oak trees on both sides of Hadeung-ro between Ssangmun 1-dong and Banghak 3-dong from February 27th. The purpose of the project is to do a’ecological restoration’ that connects the cut off the foot of the North Korean mountain. Currently, construction has been suspended due to protests from residents. Residents set up a countermeasures committee and signed the construction site from the 5th of last month, and so far, 2,500 people have participated. In addition, on the 19th of last month, at an interview with the mayor of the district, he received a promise that he will not unilaterally carry out the construction. Joo-Hye Kang of the Residents’ Countermeasure Committee said, “A few years ago, when the mountain behind Ssangmun 1-dong was renovated, we dug through a lush forest and planted saplings for’ecological diversification’. He pointed out that there was a lack of explanations for residents, such as suddenly undertaking construction after a year or so after an information session for residents.” An official at Dobong-gu Office said, “To connect the ecological path along the North Hansan ridge, we have to build a bridge over the road. At that time, we will cut the tree at the minimum required.” Before the construction resumes, we are going to have sufficient consultations with the residents.”
“Consider ecological environment first, rather than meet budget and period”
“People who care for street trees” said, “If you cut down such a large tree, there are also significant side effects such as the influx of wild plants and other ecological disturbances.” It should be done gradually over time. He pointed out that the ecological environment should be considered first rather than meeting the set budget and project period.” By Kim Yang-jin, staff reporter