March 3 is World Wildlife Day (WWD).
In December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, March 3 was declared World Wildlife Day. This day is also the day the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was signed in 1973.
This year’s theme of the WWD is the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.
Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are essential for both human health and ecological balance.
This is evidenced by the fact that in developing countries 70-95 per cent of the population relies on traditional medicine for treating and preventing illness and the European market for herbal supplements and herbal medicines is estimated to be worth billions of US dollars per year.
For this reason, the World Health Organization recognizes that MAPs form the foundation of many healthcare systems and remain vital to modern pharmaceuticals, as numerous active drug compounds are derived directly or indirectly from natural sources, despite advancements in synthetic chemistry.
MAPs also contribute to the production of cosmetics, food and luxury goods, and play a crucial role in supporting ecosystems by stabilizing soils and promoting biodiversity.
Approximately 50 000-70 000 medicinal and aromatic plant species are harvested globally. However, over 20 per cent of plant species are considered to be threatened with extinction on the International Union for the Protection of Nature Red List, mainly due to overharvesting, habitat loss and illegal international trade.
The current situation highlights the necessity to raise public awareness of the protection of MAPs and use them in a sustainable manner.
The DPRK, most of its territory covered with mountains, makes great efforts to turn all the mountains into those full of medicinal herbs.
It boasts over 900 species of wild medicinal plants, and at least 1 200 species when the medicinal plants under cultivation are added.
In order to protect and multiply medicinal herb resources, it conducts a nationwide campaign to create forests for medicinal raw materials in months in spring and autumn dedicated to the cultivation of medicinal herbs.
Cultivation, conservation and procurement of medicinal herbs are legally guaranteed by the law of the DPRK on medicinal herbs.
Ho Un Ju, staffer at the Central Committee of the Nature Conservation Union of Korea
More From Naenara (En)
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 03, 2026
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
March 02, 2026
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
March 02, 2026
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
March 01, 2026
A reception was given at the Mokran House on February 27 for the special guests who were invited to the celebrations of the Ninth
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
March 01, 2026
The participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea conducted various political and cultural activities. While
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
March 01, 2026
The 39th Sci-tech Festival of Kim Il Sung University took place in the DPRK from February 25 to 27. Presented to the festival held
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
March 01, 2026
Youth and students had a gala evening at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. Among the spectators were Pak Thae Song, member of the
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 01, 2026
The 2026 National Winter Games closed at the ice hockey gymnasium in the Paektusan area sports village in Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
March 01, 2026
At the beginning of the last century Japan militarily occupied Korea to impose an unprecedentedly harsh rule, forcing the Koreans
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
February 28, 2026
Ryomyong Primary School in Taesong District, Pyongyang, is steadily improving the educational informatization. In a bid to make
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 28, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
February 28, 2026
The Mindulle Notebook Factory is situated on the banks of the Pothong River in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK. The
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
February 28, 2026
From olden times Korea has been called a land of golden tapestry for its beautiful mountains and limpid streams. The mountains and
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
February 28, 2026
The Paektusan Millyong Hot Spring is located in the city of Samjiyon, Ryanggang Province in the northern part of the DPRK. In the
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
February 27, 2026
Receptions were given in Pyongyang, the capital city of the DPRK, on February 26 to commemorate the Ninth Congress of the
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
February 27, 2026
The Eighth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea held in January 2021 set it as a core task in socialist construction to
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
February 27, 2026
Days ago, the inauguration ceremony of 10 000 flats at the fourth stage in the Hwasong area celebrating the overfulfilment of the
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
February 27, 2026
One day in November 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Phothae-dong, Samjiyon City. The dwelling houses and
More Articles