Drawing up ordinances regarding preservation of the biodiversity of Kitahiroshima-cho

Overview

Kitahiroshima-cho is located in the northwestern section of Hiroshima Prefecture, and has a population of about 20,000 people. Even as it is blessed with an abundance of gifts from nature, it had faced a critical situation, due to over-development, over-exploitation of wildlife, suspension of usage of satochi, the influence of non-native species, etc.
In this kind of situation, through preservation of biodiversity and utilization of natural resources with the objective of securing a rich life for townspeople into the future, “Ordinances regarding preservation of the biodiversity of Kitahiroshima-cho” were established in March, 2010. Since then, a “biodiversity council” has been inaugurated; it is comprised of stakeholders including the education committee, the city planning division, the town residents division, the agriculture division and the construction division, plus people in fishing, hunting, commerce and industry, tourism, etc., as well as natural science case study committees (experts), natural history study groups, etc. Council members operated a biodiversity caravan. A total of 19 workshops were held at various locations in town, with diverse opinions being aggregated.
In March, 2011, the “Kitahiro biodiversity strategy” was formulated. Since April, 2011, concrete measures such as the establishment of a wildlife preserve are being developed.
The town and stakeholders have worked on projects to help maintain and restore our precious ecosystem, which has been sustained over many years. Their efforts have also included monitoring, environmental education, opportunities for case studies and information-sharing, etc., and have been gradually producing good results. In addition, a broad array of activities have been developed via various actors, and continue today.

Points about the partnership

Have been able to get governmental participation – numerous stakeholders participate in workshops, government employees assist and record proceedings, etc. Opinions put forth at workshops are brought up in council, and adjusted, so that they were able to devise a biodiversity strategy which reflects citizens’ views in a concrete way.