Japan Press Weekly

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2013 February 20 - 26 [TOKYO]

New arena for Olympics will force wild birds out

Groups of bird watchers on February 20 requested that the Tokyo governor and the Olympic Bidding Committee for the 2020 Summer Games cancel the plan to construct a canoe run at a waterfront park in eastern Tokyo.

The written request they submitted attaches support from 37 other organizations of Japan and abroad such as the World Wildlife Fund and Ramsar Network Japan.

Representatives of the Wild Bird Society of Japan told the officials concerned that the planned construction will destroy Tokyo’s best natural environment, causing negative effects on the rich biodiversity and will deprive 3.13 million visitors to the park of their recreation place. The wild bird lovers called for changes in the construction plan.

Near the construction site, 76 species of birds, 140 of insects, 80 of spiders, 91 of trees, and 132 of wild grasses have been so far confirmed, including a number of endangered species.

Related past articles:
> Olympic canoeing course construction will harm oasis for wild birds [October 13, 2012]