Despite the presence of VALUABLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES representing various major periods of Japanese pre-history and early history,and despite the presence of nesting goshawks (a protected species),the chairman of the Nakane Kondadai
Development Association ( and one of the area major landowners) has been fighting to push approval of the project through. This means that for an American suburban style housing development, which is being heralded ( to push prices up, of course) as GREEN DEVELOPMENT,huge tracts (by Japanese standards) of forest and meadow will be
cut down and paved over.
How did the the Kamizakai landlord get around the proven presence of the protected Goshawks? He did what any developer or businessman with bird protection law troubles has would do- call the Wild Bird Society of Japans Ibaraki Prefecture Director!
For a fee he will play the role of FIXER, and make sure the project passes through- never mind what happens to the birds.
The thousands of water birds ( and a few birds of prey, as well) who starve after being ensnared by the wing or foot in Kasumigaura`s nets are a testiment to his work.
Any one who complains to the authories or organizations such as the WWF are immediately referred to the Wild Bird Society, where Mr Ikeno, our villain, is quick to answer that THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE HE IS LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE! Well, he never did release the results of any study- he just hoped that no one would raise a voice.
Fortunately for the birds- the media is now starting to take notice.
Here are two articles, one from the Japan Times and the other- Metropolis, which are helping to let people know what is really going on.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fe20090830a1.html
http://metropolis.co.jp/features/global-village/forest-conservation-in-tsukuba/
Lets keep the articles coming and let the world know what is going on!
Avi Landau
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