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World Heritage?
99.11.1/Temperature: 8C/ Weather: Partly cloudy / Wind Direction: N‚v
Start: Fujisato / Latitude: 40 18 31 N / Longitude: 140 17 32 E Destination: Sennodai, Futatsui / Latitude: 40 08 31N /Longitude: 140 12 57 E
Distance Traveled: 23 kmThe rain started with a drizzle and picked-up to a heavier rain for the entire day. Elderly women walked along the streets of Fujisato with umbrellas in hand. Some were out just to put the trash out; others were on their way to or from a local fresh vegetable stand; I even came across one woman in the evening who was on her paper route to deliver the local paper, on foot. After speaking with several members directly involved with the preservation of the Shirakami Mountain Range, this was my chance to inquire about local opinion.
"I just go up into the foothills a couple of times a year to collect mushrooms," said one woman. "I've never been up to the area which has been designated as the World Heritage Site. It doesn't really effect us much but tourists coming in from the city is probably a good thing," she continued. Another reaction came from a small restaurant owner in Futatsui (Fujisato's neighboring village), "All of the sudden everyone is talking about Shirakami, Shirakami. I've never been up there. Really we don't have anything to do with Shirakami." When I asked whether or not she thought the nature of Shirakami should be preserved she commented, "I'm not really interested in that kind of thing." The last person I spoke with had also never been to the Shirakami Mountain Range. "I think it is ok what they are doing(protecting the forest). It seems quite far away though," the women said.
After hearing so much about the preservation of Shirakami in Fujisato, it was slightly shocking to find that the few people I spoke with generally had little interest in the World Heritage Site. It is obvious that local conservationists are very concerned with the preservation of the area. But what does the conservation of the area mean to the average citizen?
The fresh water that runs from the rivers of the buna forest definitely effects the citizens. It provides their drinking water as well as water for farming. If this connection is overlooked by locals, the World Heritage Site may just seem like a new tourist attraction.
Local conservationists and locals in general seek to define their relationship with the new World Heritage Site. I hope that it can be done effectively in a way that meets local needs and interests.
Continuing up through Futatsui I moved further away from the buna forest. Darkness followed me up the narrow valley south of Futatsui. The splatter of rain drops in rice paddies drummed on as I sped my way through the cool and dark cedar forest. A mist rested gently on the black silhouette of the mountains. I finally arrived in Sennodai around 6 where a local family suggested I set up my tent in their firewood shed.
Greg
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