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From polluted marsh to natural wildlife heaven?
High reed grasses spread out over the Watarase Marsh. These reeds are home to a wide variety of species. 00.01.03/ Temperature: 4C/ Weather: Partly cloudy/ Wind Direction: NW
Start: Tochigi City, 36 22 27 N 139 43 51 E
Destination: Watarase Marsh 36 14 11 N 139 39 15 E
Distance Traveled: 15 kmWatarase Marsh area is said to be the second largest reed plain next to the Kushiro Marsh remaining in Japan. It is also an important footprint of Japan's industrialization and its resulting pollution, as well as it represents efforts to remember history and make use of its unique natural habitat. After a brisk walk from Tochigi City, I spent the afternoon learning about the history and future of the Watarase Marsh.
Leaving Tochigi City marks a start to the last leg of this journey. Tokyo lies less than 100 kilometers to the south. Though much of the urban sprawl of southern Tochigi, Saitama and Tokyo may bear much resemblance, I crossed over the Watarase River and walked along the raised bank which overlooks the Watarase Marsh. Tall golden reeds spread out over the marshy plain. A cool breeze blew in from the northwest bending the tips of the reeds in the afternoon sunlight. Several golfers walked along the winter-browned fairway of the Watarase Country Club Golf Course. Gazing across the plain, it seemed unimaginable that this area was once a 'septic tank' for pollution from the Ashio Mine.
A Yanaka Village household used to rest amidst all of these tall reeds. The Watarase Marsh is probably one of the largest alterations of landscape that I have come across thus far. (It may ranks right up there with alterations made to Hachirogata Lake.) According to one of my guides for the day, Mr. Sakahara of Tanaka Shozo University, the Marsh was constructed in order to prevent any further damage from floods containing pollution from the Ashio Mine. "The entire flow of the river was changed," he said pointing to the west where the river once ran. "The marsh became a 'septic tank' to collect pollution from the mines and stop flooding problems along the river banks," explained Mr. Takamatsu of the Japan Bird Society, another of my guides. The river course had changed so much we could not see it from where we began our tour of portions of the 33 square kilometer marsh area.
The marsh now serves as an emergency resource of water for Tokyo, a recreation area for golfers, water sport and nature lovers.
From the southwest bank of the Watarase Marsh one can see the playing grounds and artificial lake which are both utilized for recreational purposes. Many people living near the marsh benefited from the marsh as it reduced the amount of pollution to their fields. However according to my guides, it was the families forced to move off of the marsh land who suffered the most.
Making our way through the plain across neatly paved sidewalks we arrived at the center of where Yanaka Village once stood. I was told how villagers were forced to move from the area when government officials decide to allot the marsh to collect Ashio Mine's pollution and prevent further damage to surrounding communities. Villagers, as well as the famous TANAKA Shozo, fought till the very end against being relocated. "Ashio and Watarase Marsh are living lessons to be learned from. Since villagers and TANAKA Shozo fought to protect their village and because TANAKA Shozo fought against the pollution at Ashio, we are able to learn from them today," said Mr. Sakahara sternly.
If not for several marked remnants of Yanaka Village and a thorough explanation from my guides it would have been very easy to overlook the historical lessons that Watarase has to teach. Mr. Takamatsu, Mr. Sakahara and friends are taking steps to make sure that history is remembered and the unique nature made use of.
As the nature in the marsh continues to recuperate from the effects of pollution, it has become more and more suitable for all kinds of wildlife. Mr. Takamatsu explained. "There are 210 types of birds, 7 to 8 hundred types of plants, and close to 1400 kinds of bugs here. In total, close to 17 types of eagles and hawks use this space at different times of the year. This tells us that there is enough prey for them. There is also enough for their prey to feed off of and an environment in the reed marsh which sustains a huge ecosystem."
"What we are trying to do is see what can be done with what Watarase Marsh is today. There is a long history to the Watarase Marsh. We want to make opportunities for people to learn about its history and to learn about the plants and animals unique to the marsh," said Mr. Takamatsu.
As the sun went down on the west side of the Marsh, I looked south toward Tokyo. I thought about what kind of natural history the urban sprawl to Tokyo might have. Whether we live in cities or out in the country, the current landscape may hide an important history. The movement at Watarase Marsh to recall the natural and human history of the area, as well as to make use of the nature which remains may have some hints as to where we might be able to learn about our own communities.
What kind of natural history does your area have?
Greg
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