Korean Air’s Afforestation Project in Baganuur, Mongolia Celebrates 20th Anniversary

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(28/05/24)
 Korean Air today celebrated the 20th anniversary of
its afforestation project in Baganuur, Mongolia.

Aimed at combating desertification, the “Korean
Air Forest” was launched in 2004 and each year a group of 100 to
200 airline employees take part in the afforestation effort.

The project had to be temporarily suspended in
2020 due to global pandemic restrictions, during which time local
forestry experts and residents maintained the forest.

Baganuur District is located 130 kilometers from
Ulaanbaatar. A coal mining region spanning approximately 31 square
kilometers, it supplies about 60% of Mongolia’s coal demand.

Prior
to the forest planting, coal dust from open-pit mines affected
local villages. Recognizing the need for afforestation, Korean Air
began planting trees to eventually cover an area of 44 hectares,
or approximately 82 football fields.

This year, 112 volunteers from the airline,
including new hires, resumed planting activities over two weeks
starting from 20 May.

“We started planting
trees here 20 years ago, and both Korea and Mongolia have been
steadily cultivating the Korean Air Forest together,” said Sumiya
Davaasüren, Governor of Baganuur District. “I would like to
thank the Korean Air team and all participants in the project on
behalf of Baganuur for creating a forest to prevent
desertification and the spread of yellow dust.”

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%, with the tallest tree reaching 12 meters.

The forest, which stretches 2 kilometers long and
222 meters 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 2006, Baganuur District was recognized by the
Mongolian government as a model city for green space creation and
highlighted the Korean Air Forest as an exemplary eco-friendly
volunteer project. Three years later, Korean Air received the Medal of
Excellence from the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

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