North Korea is interested in protection of migratory birds and conservation of wetlands and forests, according to an international environmental organization.
During a recent press conference in the South last week, the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), a nonprofit organization aimed at protecting migratory waterbirds and their habitat in the region, said North Korean officials are now increasingly aware of the organization's sustainable development projects.
The organization pointed out Pyongyang became the 36th member of the EAAFP in April.
It also pointed out that two North Korean sites _ Mundok Wetland Reserve in South Pyongan Province and Rason Wetland Reserve in North Hamgyong Province _ were included last month in the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty on the conservation of important wetlands.
The treaty requires all member states to designate wetlands, rivers, lakes, tidelands, seaweed beds and coral reefs as sites of global significance.
The treaty was adopted in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
The Pyongyang authorities have treated Mundok Wetland Reserve as a model case of conserving the country's wetlands. It seeks to increase the number of Ramsar Convention-designated wetlands from 34 to 55.
Environmental sources said about 20 North Korean forestry experts are training in China and Mongolia to learn how to preserve forests.
They said the North is making preparations for the enactment of laws incorporating environmental protection clauses.
"Recent news on North Korean TV carries the importance of wetlands, reflecting North Korea's enhanced awareness of environmental protection," a source said.
The EAAFP referred North Korea to cases of other countries that need support for sustainable development after facing serious environmental pollution because of economic growth.
The EAAFP currently has 36 partners, including 18 governments, six intergovernmental agencies and 11 international NGOs.