Tentative translation based by automatic translation
16 May 2016
Petition
Dear Chiba Governor Kensaku Morita
From Japanese Bird Banding Association, President Akira Chiba
Petition for seeking Gyotoku birding observatory reopen
Japanese bird banding Association (hereinafter, the Association for short) is anassociation that has been founded in February 1986, consists of members (about 390people) who carry out an investigation of wild birds. The members participate in andcontribute as volunteers to bird banding that the Ministry of the Environment entrusts
to Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. The investigation, including the migratory birds
in Japan and overseas, to study their life, ecology, such as annual change in number ofbirds, the outcome has been used to understand the biological diversity in actual
situation, promote bird protection activities, widely in bird flu-related epidemiologicalsurveys, etc. In addition, the Association is carried out to hold a workshop and publish
scientific journals, we are working to share with the public awareness of theinformation.
This year (2016) in December, the Association has plan to hold the 30thAnniversary meeting in Ichikawa City with the cooperation of the Association membersof Gyotoku Wildlife Reserve and Gyotoku birding observatory. Recently, in contact with
the news of Gyotoku birding observatory closure, the Association again recognizes therole and loss of the observatory with deep concern, comes to deliver the demands asfollows.
As you know, Gyotoku Wildlife Sanctuary, when the wetlands called Shinhama to
the high-growth period of the 1970s has been reclaimed by the development, "protect
the Niihama meeting," the center and the nature conservation movement and of theregional development so to speak, is was established protected areas as a compromise.
Gyotoku birding building, which was built in it, to get to know the birds and naturalattractions, as a place of environmental learning, is used by many organizations, suchas elementary school, recreation and relaxation for the bird lovers just how local
residents It has also been popular as a place. In addition, Gyotoku Wildlife Sanctuary is
the first reserve where positive environmental maintenance has been carried out inJapan, and it has been a model of “Sanctuary”, the area for protecting wildlife. Inaddition, the use of this facility is not limited to general customers, in October of 1980,
when the King of Spain and his wife have been coming to Japan as a state guest, at thetime of the Crown Prince and his wife (now the Emperor and Empress), There is alsothat it has been your visitors along with the Prince Hitachi Highness. In 1982, we also
received a royal visit of Emperor Showa honored.
Gyotoku Bird Observatory and Gyotoku Bird Reserve also play an important roleon the academic research. Bird ringing is continued for many years in Gyotoku, and dueto the work, the first record in Japan; European robin, same in Chiba prefecture;
Bearded tit. The staff of the NPO Friends of Gyotoku Bird Observatory, caught andringed some gulls. Such labeled individuals are observed in various locations in Japanand abroad, including the Arctic Ocean coastal areas of Russia. Also notice ofinteresting habit, many of them are continued to returning to Gyoroku for many years.
Gyotoku Bird Reserve has no source of freshwater without rain. Then the firsttrial to lead the wastewater to shallow pond like paddy, to realize to get water for thecreatures, and the water purification at the same time. Restoration of wetlands lead toreproduction of the original landscape of Gyotoku, is becoming diverse biota is nurtured.
Referring to the wild bird hospital as a related facility, the hospital is putting thegreater efforts to protect the injured birds and its work is the highest level not only in
the Kanto area but also throughout Japan. In addition, Gyotoku wild bird reserve islocated adjacent to Shinhama Kamoba, a hunting ground for the Imperial Household
Agency where is a site of significant cultural importance because the traditional duckhunting of technology is inherited.
As mentioned above, there is no doubt about the contribution and importance of
Gyotoku birding observatory to the local community and wildlife protection. The
observatory is the top class facility in Japan as the basis of wild bird conservation,scientific research, public awareness and recreation to citizens. If the observatory would
be abolished, it is a great loss not only for Chiba Pref and Ichikawa City, but also forthroughout Japan.For these reasons, we strongly demand that the observatory would
not be closed, and the building should get the anti-earthquake reinforcement or bereplaced.
Sincerely yours,Akira Chiba
President, Japan bird banding Association