Japan's Civil Network on Biodiversity Releases Statement Urging Achievement of Aichi Target

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Japan Civil Network for Convention on Biological Diversity (JCN-CBD, currently Japan Civil Network for UN Decade on Biodiversity) released on March 10, 2011, an emergency statement strongly calling for an immediate cancellation and redesign of two ongoing construction projects. JCN-CBD believes that the projects go against the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 (Aichi Target) adopted at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10).

The Aichi Target adopted by the state parties led by Japan, which hosted COP10, has set 20 specific goals in relation to ecosystem conservation. JCN-CBD states that the construction projects underway at Tanoura in Kaminoseki-cho, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and at Takae in Higashi Village, Okinawa Prefecture, prevent efforts to achieve those goals.

Tanoura in Yamaguchi is a sanctuary for species that have already gone extinct in the other areas of the Seto Inland Sea, as well as being a fishing ground for local fishermen. However, Chugoku Electric Power Co. is moving forward with a reclamation project for a planned nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, Takae in Okinawa is located in the Yanbaru, a subtropical natural forest, where numerous endemic and native species live. The Okinawa prefectural government promotes the Yanbaru forest as a key area in its efforts to get the Ryukyu Islands designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. However, the construction of US military helipads is currently being carried out by the Japanese Ministry of Defense.

Posted: 2011/06/29 06:00:15 AM