Korean Air celebrated the 20th anniversary of its reforestation project on May 28 in Baganuur, Mongolia after resuming from a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The Korean Air Forest initiative – aimed at combating desertification – saw 112 volunteers this year from the airline, including new hires, and resumed planting activities over two weeks starting from May 20.
Initiated in 2004, each year, a group of 100 to 200 airline employees take part in the Korean Air Forest afforestation effort. The project was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions, during which time local forestry experts and residents maintained the forest.
“We started planting trees here 20 years ago, and both South Korea and Mongolia have been steadily cultivating the Korean Air Forest together,” said Sumiya Davaasüren, governor of Baganuur District.
Located 130km from Ulaanbaatar, Baganuur District is a coal mining region spanning approximately 31km² and supplies about 60 per cent of Mongolia’s coal demand. Prior to the forest planting, coal dust from open-pit mines affected local villages – recognising the need for afforestation, Korean Air began planting trees to eventually cover an area of 44 hectares.
Currently, the Korean Air Forest is home to over 125,300 trees of 12 species including poplars, Siberian elms, sea buckthorn, and willows, which can thrive in harsh environments. In 2019, an automated watering system was installed to ensure the trees had stable conditions to grow. As a result, the tree growth rate is 95 per cent, with the tallest tree reaching 12 metres.
The forest, which stretches two kilometres long and 222 metres wide, acts as a barrier to block dust and debris from nearby coal mines, and the ecosystem is gradually being restored as various wildlife such as insects, skylarks, rabbits and foxes make Korean Air forest their home. It also serves as a venue for local students’ picnics and field trips.
In addition, Korean Air is actively involved in giving back to the Mongolian community. The airline has donated computer classrooms to seven schools in the area and provided medical services to the community in cooperation with Inha University Hospital.
