|
|
|
|
Minuma Rice Paddies
Nature kids pace through the rice paddies of the Minuma rice paddy area. 00.01.07/ Temperature: 8C/ Weather: Overcast/ Wind Direction: NW
Current Location: Kawaguchi Nature House, Minuma Rice Paddies 35 52 34 N 139 43 18 E
Distance Traveled: 0 km (Rest day)It is often said that the amount of wildlife in a given area is a good indicator of what the future may have in store for humans. The closer I get to Tokyo, the less and less nature I am exposed too. To my good fortune close to 20 members of Nature Kids and the Environment Club of Minami Urawa Middle school led me through one of the largest green regions close to the Tokyo metropolitan area. Walking through the Minuma Rice Paddies I received a full update on its history as well as a living example of how to enjoy the area.
The Minuma rice paddy area is another example of the way that the Japan has altered the landscape to suit the needs of its peopl Similar to Santomi Shinden the Minuma rice paddy area was an effort to meet an increasing demand for rice during the Edo Era (1603-1867) in what is now Tokyo. Formerly a large marsh and later a reservoir for rice paddies, water was drained and rice paddies developed over the 1260 hectare area. Canals were built on either side of the area supplying water to rice paddies from the Tone River and creating an important link in the trade route to which sent rice and farm products to Nihonbashi, Tokyo (our destination for phase 1 of "Exploration for Wisdom") by boat.
While receiving an explanation about a preserved natural canal bank, Nature Kids stare looking for any signs of animal or insect life. When a flood hit the area in 1958, the Minuma rice paddy area greatly reduced the damage which would have resulted had the area been developed. Concern about future flooding created Saitama Prefectural regulations on development for the entire Minuma area in 1965. These regulations have lead to preservation of one of the largest undeveloped areas within a 25 kilometer radius of Tokyo and are said to protect the citizens of southern Saitama from flooding.
Though the Minuma area boasts of a very unique canal system, parks which have been designated for the protection of heron, or nature, an area of the canal which has preserved its natural banks, and more, it is more interesting for the kids of Nature Kids and Minami Urawa's Environment Club to keep their eyes peeled for the wide variety of living creatures that have made a home of the Minuma area.
Walking along on a long trek through a small portion of the 1260 hectare area, I was surprised at how quickly Nature Kids' members rifled off the names of insects, birds, and even plants. Every time I turned around someone had discovered something new. Early blooming flowers, insect cocoons, plants that stick to your clothes, leaves which can make whistles; you name it, the Nature kids will find it for you.
Walking along irrigation ditches surrounding the Minama rice paddy area, the amount of trash rivals portions of my travels in Tochigi (see Wisdom report 112) and Kunugiyama (see Wisdom report 116). One of the nature kids commented, "There is a lot of trash in the area, but there is also a lot of fun nature to see."
I watched closely as various participants disappeared from the sidewalk and returned with sticks, seeds, bugs, and other natural treasures. Others stayed on the pavement but quickly called others' attention when they made a discovery. "There is a common teal." I don't know who spoke up, but other group members were quick to spot the teal. Walking slowly the kids kept their antennas up, jumping out at anything that sparked their interests.
Talking to one member we realized that the way Nature Kids search for bugs, birds and plants is very similar to the way I have searched for wisdom. "Walking slowly is the way to go. That way you can see more," commented one of the Nature Kids. Their curiosity is bound to lead to helpful discoveries for Minuma's nature in the future.
I'll walk slowly the rest of the way to Tokyo.
Greg
to Top News Page of Wisdom
< >
Copyright World School Network & ECO-CLUB, 1998-99. No reproduction or republication without written permission.
Send feedback to info@wschool.net
