RCE Inje - 2024

Title: Beautiful River Restoration Activities for the Flow of Life
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Title: Beautiful River Restoration Activities for the Flow of Life
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Inje
Contributing organization(s) : 
Inje County Office, North Han River Life Forum, Religious Organizations (Bohyun Temple, Protestantism), Inje County Village Head Committee (Seohwa Township), Korean DMZ Peace Life Park.





Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Chang heum -Kim
Organizational Affiliation: 
RCE Inje
E-mail: 
rceinje@naver.com
Format of project: 
Face-to-face activities, PowerPoint presentations, surveys, campaigns, festivals
Language of project: 
Korean
Date of submission:
Monday, January 8, 2024
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
Ordinance on Support for Non-point Source Pollution Reduction
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Korea, South
Location(s): 
Inje County, Gangwon Province
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Within Inje
Ecosystem(s):
Agricultural, Forest, Fresh water, Grassland, Mountain, Wetlands
Target Audience:
Primary, Secondary
soldiers
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
Inje County was a battleground during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, and it remains a region of confrontation and tension between North and South Korea, with the demilitarized zone (DMZ) at its center. Positioned at the intersection of the Baekdu-Daegan mountain range and the DMZ, Inje County faces restrictions on development due to military reasons, geographic location, and natural conditions. It is considered one of the areas in Korea with the highest diversity and richness of ecosystems, given its ecological significance and natural diversity.

Inje County is considered a rural area with a population density of less than 20 people per square kilometer in South Korea. It is known for its mountainous landscape and is often referred to as a "mountain village" school. The air quality in terms of oxygen content is the highest in the country, and the water quality of 19 rivers that use surface water is excellent at 18 locations, with one location rated as good. This signifies that Inje County is a pristine region with clean air and water.

To experience such natural surroundings, Inje County attracts over one million tourists annually. It is home to the Seoraksan National Park, designated as the first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Korea, and the Daam Wetland, Korea's first Ramsar site. Other attractions include the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), a forest of Korean nut pines, and Baekdamsa Temple.

Additionally, as part of the rural-urban partnership project, institutional support for the Inbukcheon Restoration Project will be provided, including collaboration with downstream residents in the metropolitan area.

To achieve this, the following business methods will be implemented:
--Residents will propose, conduct surveys, and officials will approach the issue from the perspective of collaborators.
-Conduct pollution status surveys and research with experts and local residents.
Hold seminars on pollution source removal and ecological stream restoration with village residents and experts.
-Conduct community activities involving village residents, military units, and school education to restore Inbukcheon.
-Propose institutional and policy alternatives, including support for agricultural practice conversion, to the central and local governments.
-Expand collaborative activities beyond Inje County to nearby Yanggu County, Hongcheon County, and eventually engage with citizens in the metropolitan area.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Inbukcheon is located in the upper reaches of the Han River, serving as a source of drinking water for approximately 20 million citizens, including those in the Seoul metropolitan area. It originates from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), starting in Geumgang County, Gangwon Province, and flows through Chuncheon City in Gangwon Province, passing through Seoul, and eventually reaching the western sea. While its source is characterized by pristine water, as it flows through areas like Haean-myeon in Yanggu County and Seohwa-myeon, Bug-myeon, and Inje-eup in Inje County, it is exposed to contamination from sediment and domestic sewage.

The main sources of pollution in Inbukcheon are soil and fertilizers flowing from agricultural areas, pesticides dispersed in farmland and river basins, and the improper disposal of waste and domestic sewage. The pollution in Inbukcheon poses a threat to the water source used for drinking by residents in the metropolitan area.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
March, 2019 to January, 2024
Objectives: 
Residents living in the Inbukcheon watershed voluntarily come forward to remove sources of pollution and restore the river to an ecological state.
To achieve this, they undertake a transition from traditional agricultural practices, change the types of crops, remove sources of pollution, and ecologically maintain the river.
Firstly, conduct a survey and research on the pollution and status of the Inbukcheon, and identify and organize community-level actors to actively participate in civic movements within Inje County.

Additionally, as part of the rural-urban partnership project, institutional support for the Inbukcheon Restoration Project will be provided, including collaboration with downstream residents in the metropolitan area.

To achieve this, the following business methods will be implemented:
--Residents will propose, conduct surveys, and officials will approach the issue from the perspective of collaborators.
-Conduct pollution status surveys and research with experts and local residents.
Hold seminars on pollution source removal and ecological stream restoration with village residents and experts.
-Conduct community activities involving village residents, military units, and school education to restore Inbukcheon.
-Propose institutional and policy alternatives, including support for agricultural practice conversion, to the central and local governments.
-Expand collaborative activities beyond Inje County to nearby Yanggu County, Hongcheon County, and eventually engage with citizens in the metropolitan area.


Activities and/or practices employed: 
Title: Citizen Group Formed to Protect the Environment and Life of Inbukcheon
-In September 2018, the movement to revive Inbukcheon was first proposed, and in October of the same year, the initiative was presented as a forest culture expo's rural-urban cooperation project. Collaborating with Seo-hwa Village of the Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement), the project was shared, and discussions on the issues were initiated with the village chiefs and residents of the 13 villages in the Inbukcheon watershed.
-Following a meeting with the Anseongcheon Revitalization Citizens' Group, an outstanding domestic activity group, discussions were held to determine the direction of the Inbukcheon Revitalization Movement. In December 2018, an inaugural ceremony was organized at the Ramsar Wetland Daemisan Yongneup Ecological School.
-In 2019, the organization held its inaugural general meeting and officially adopted the name "Citizens' Group for Protecting the Environment and Life of Inbukcheon." The operating committee consisted of five village co-representatives and all village leaders from the 13 villages, with advisory members from various religious backgrounds, including Buddhism and Protestantism. Membership fees ranged from 1,000 to 5,000 won per month, and the initial membership included 122 individuals, including not only village residents but also individuals from river-related organizations and those from the metropolitan area who aimed to protect the region based on peace and life principles.
-In its first year of activity in 2018, the organization engaged in various initiatives, including 1. Walking along the beautiful Inbukcheon River, 2. Surveying and proposing the removal of unnecessary artificial structures in the river, 3. Establishing an office and unveiling ceremony, and 4. Participating in forums for revitalizing our river in collaboration with residents.

Resident-led River Survey and Clear River Cultivation Activities (2020~2023)
--River Cultivation Resident Education
-Basic Survey for River Cultivation (7 water quality survey items, sediment, heavy metal contamination, riparian plants)
-Long-term Crop Conversion through Rice Paddy Cultivation
-Walking and Purification Activities along the Beautiful Inbukcheon River
-Field Trip to Excellent Domestic Cases of River Restoration
-Non-point Source Pollution Reduction and Inbukcheon River Restoration
-Inbukcheon River Restoration Resident Forum
-Let's Play with Inbukcheon River Workbook
-Beautiful Inje River Photo Contest
-World Water Day Event
Size of academic audience: 
Total number of people: 3,268 - 2019년 : 122 - 2020년 : 2,384 - 2021년 : 294 - 2022년 : 168 - 2023년 : 300
Results: 
Based on the activities from 2019 to 2022, a group called "Inje River Survey Team" has been formed, conducting river surveys every week.
The river surveys have been expanded to cover all rivers within Inje County, conducting investigations in each of the six townships (a total of 40 locations).
A joint investigation was conducted to assess the inflow of heavy metals into the river related to the establishment of a military shooting range and the newly constructed facility.
- Suggestions were made to Inje County to reduce sedimentation from agricultural activities through initiatives such as snow horse plowing, afforestation, and the establishment of blueberry orchards. These proposals are set to be implemented in 2023.
- When water quality pollution occurs in the river, precise water quality analysis is being conducted to implement corrective measures for improvement.
- Residents of nearby municipalities, such as Yanggu County, are being informed about the methods of water quality and sediment monitoring, and collaborative monitoring efforts are underway.
These activities were recognized with several awards: the Environmental Minister's Award in 2021, the Environmental Conservation Association President's Award in 2019 and 2022, and the Gangwon Environmental Award in 2023.
Lessons learned: 
In Inje County, a river monitoring team has been organized to oversee the illegal dumping and burning of waste along the riverbanks. Additionally, water quality assessments, measuring the health of the river ecosystems, are conducted quarterly, 1-2 times per quarter.
However, in the Inje area, the presence of military bases and associated personnel accounts for 50% of the population, and due to the mountainous terrain, facilities for sewage final treatment are not perfectly implemented. This leads to many sources of pollution flowing into the rivers.
- Therefore, it is crucial for residents to take interest and conduct weekly surveys of the mainstream and tributaries to identify pollution sources and work towards improvement. A movement is needed to restore the ecosystem by showing interest in the rivers that were once part of daily life, transforming them into the beautiful ecological rivers of the past.
Key messages: 
Residents in the Inje area believe that the primary source of sediment comes from nearby municipalities, such as Yanggu-gun and Hongcheon-gun, where agricultural activities are more prevalent. However, survey results revealed that sediment generated from riverbank developments (bridges, roads, river maintenance) was significantly higher. Additionally, water quality is compromised as there is no connection to sewage treatment facilities, and outdated pipelines directly discharge into the river. To address these issues, it is essential to engage in purification activities that the civil society can undertake, despite the time and budget constraints. Examples include using environmentally friendly soaps and detergents, creating sediment traps at pollution sources, using organic fertilizers, and placing check dams in agricultural fields to reduce sediment runoff.
Relationship to other RCE activities: 
When the Global Arena for Sustainable Development Council visited Inje in 2018, they conducted an experience with endangered species along the Inbukcheon River. In 2023, a Riverbugging experience focusing on the ecology of the Inje Misancheon River was conducted.
Funding: 
The project received funding of 12 million won through the Ministry of Environment's open competition, and Inje County also provides support with an annual grant of 3 million won, which is utilized for research and investigation expenses.



UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Indirect
SDG 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture 
Indirect
SDG 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages 
Indirect
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Indirect
SDG 5 - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 
Indirect
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Indirect
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries 
Indirect
SDG 11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable 
Indirect
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Indirect
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
SDG 16 - Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels 
Direct
SDG 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Disaster Risk Reduction 
Direct
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Agriculture 
Direct
Arts 
Indirect
Curriculum Development 
Direct
Forests/Trees 
Direct
Plants & Animals 
Direct
Waste 
Direct
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Indirect
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes