Three cheers for Korea's four rivers

South Korea's incredulous transformation from a small backwater of Asia to one of the world's largest economies is encapsulated in a single phrase — Miracle on The Han River. While it describes the country's rapid economic development after the Korean War, it embodies the transformation of Seoul from a scruffy capital to a sophisticated city.

But the miracle was not without side effects. In the period between 1970 and 1990, Seoul's population doubled to more than ten million. The city's historical heritage quickly gave way to modern construction; congestion and pollution became key words, and the closest peek at nature was the distant peaks of Bukhan on clear days. It is said that the Han River looked and smelt like dirty dishwater.

Restoration plan

South Korea tackled these challenges with the same single-minded focus that ensured its steady industrial development. Three other rivers besides the Han were included in the purview of a unique government project, that, apart from tackling common problems associated with urbanisation, goes several steps further to address flooding, climate change, small-scale industries, water quality, ecosystems, ecotourism, and public education.

The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country, and aims to spend KRW22.2 trillion (Dh68 billion) by 2012 to restore the four largest rivers of the country. In a nutshell, the plans include 16 new dams on the mainstreams of the four rivers and five on their tributaries, improvements to 87 existing irrigation dams, reinforcement of 377 kilometres of riverbanks, and the dredging of 570-million cubic metres of sediment from 691 kilometres across the rivers to maintain a depth of between four and six metres.

Positive results

Various project initiatives led by the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), the Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIFAFF) and the Ministry of Environment (ME) are expected to create approximately 340,000 jobs in the country.

In summer this year, when faced with the jangma, the intense monsoons of Korea, many residents were nervous about the impacts of the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, during the first natural test on the semi-transformed rivers. The office of National River Restoration recorded that between June 22 and 27, the country experienced a national average rainfall of 207.7 millimetre, equivalent to 20-billion tonnes of water, and 17 per cent of annual rainfall. "Paradoxically, this torrential rainfall proved to be an excellent opportunity to study the results of the project. Despite the Meari typhoon in June, torrential rainfall in some areas of Gyeongbuk and Chungcheong, damages turned out to be meagre, and the Four Rivers was officially declared flood-proof," says the office.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Land: "Overall water levels were lowered by 2.55 metres along the Han River, by 3.5 metres near the Nakdong, by 0.84 metres in a vicinity of the Buyeo Weir and 1.12 metres near the Seungchon Weir of the Yeongsan River."

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs recently committed an annual expense of KRW240 billion to maintain the four national rivers' 61 spots, including plans for the year 2012.

Hong Hyeong-pyo, project manager of Office of National River Restoration, explains how it is but a blip in the grand scheme of things. "At present, the Seoul headquarters of Han River Restoration annually invests a budget of KRW47 billion (KRW1.1 billion per kilometre) to maintain 42 kilometres of the Han. Meanwhile, maintenance for the Four Major Rivers merely costs KRW80 million per kilometres, so this corresponds to just 10 per cent of Seoul's case."

It may need more funds, because it is larger and the centrepiece of the capital, but the once murky and stinky Han is now home to mullet and carp that are consumed raw as hwae, Korean sashimi.

FOUR RIVERS

Extensive plans in progress

 Han River: happiness

With major projects for improving water quality, the Han River project includes rainwater retention facilities, ecological detention ponds, agricultural ponds and ecological wetlands. Farmland is being organised at 17 points across the river, and maintenance of local streams at 84 points.

 Geum River: culture

The introduction of bicycle lanes and waterways is one of many riverine cultural experiences on the Geum. The Waterfront Landmark Development is working on establishing riverside historical belts and promoting green ecotourism, with facilities such as camping sites, walking lanes and water sports.

 Nakdong River: economy

The development of a waterfront in Busan's Gang-Seo New City, and a Super Green Belt in Daegu are the main highlights in an extensive development programme along the Nakdong. Daegu Dalsung will be home to several landmarks such as the Hwawon Amusement Park,Dalsung Kun, Daeni Mountain and Hyunpung Myun.

 Yeongsan River: ecology

The proposed cultural route along the restored old waterway will lead from Mokpo to Gwangju along an 80-kilometre stretch. This project will also lend support to the Byuckjin Naru Waterfront development, and the restoration of Yeongsan Pogu.

— I.S.