1995 JICA Training for Wetland Conservation and Protection of Migratory Birds
The JICA training for wetland conservation and protection of migratory
birds will be held mainly in the Kushiro area between September 26 and
October 29. This training is given as part of the JICA project to accept
trainees, who are expected to become leaders in their developing nations,
to be trained in Japan. The Kushiro International Wetland Centre is
commissioned to carry out the training with the cooperation of the
Environment Agency.
A variety of wildlife inhabit eastern Asia, where many wetlands with rich
natural resources remain. It is an important task to protect these wetlands
and the wildlife inhabiting there, including migratory birds. However, the
proper execution of wetland protection and management, the establishment
of a plan to promote wise use of wetland natural resources, and research on
wildlife species in wetlands have not been fully achieved, due to a lack of
information, technology and manpower.
For this reason, the training will enhance the professional knowledge and
techniques required for middle-class government technical officials in
developing countries in Southeast Asia, who are in charge of the conservation
of wetlands and protection of migratory birds. In the course, participants are
expected to develop their technical knowledge and techniques on wetland
conservation and migratory bird protection. Thus, the course will contribute to
the promotion of international cooperative projects conforming to the Ramsar
Convention. The training will be given in the following subjects:
Lectures: nature conservation system, international cooperation, etc.
Practices: bird banding, protection of endangered species of birds,
research of flora in wetlands, ecotourism in wetlands, etc.
Field Studies: protection of endangered sepecies of birds, water
purification function of wetlands, public
awareness activities, fish resources in wetlands.
Others: presentation of country reports, presentation of action plans
This training began in 1994 and this is the second year. Seven trainees are
expected to be accepted in this training.
What is KIWC Technical Committee?
In addition to conducting its own investigations and research activities, KIWC
has established a technical committee to meet the technical and specialized
needs requested of KIWC. Dr. Tatsuichi Tsujii, Professor at Hokusei Gakuen
University, was elected as chairman of the committee at its inaugural general
assembly meeting in January.
The technical committee conducts research each year. This year, under the theme
"Ecotourism in Wetlands," study will be made on the concept and problems of
ecotourism, utilizing the natural resources of wetlands, using "Kushiro-shitsugen,
" "Akkeshi-ko and Bekanbeushi-shitsugen" and "Kiritappu-shitsugen" as case studies.
The technical committee consists of 10 members, including Chairman Tsujii, who
are all specialists in these areas.
The committee is expected to collect and publish the results of their research.
Based on these results, KIWC intends to conduct ecotours beginning the next year.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands: Its History and Development
KIWC translated and published a book titled "The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands:
Its History and Development" as part of a cooperative activity to celebrate the
25th anniversary of the Ramsar Convention
This book briefly summarizes the background of the signing of the Convention, its
fundamental idea and the process of development.
The book, originally written by Dr. G.V.T. Matthews in English, was translated by Dr.
Satsohi Kobayashi, an official at the Ramsar Convention Bureau, who was sent from
Kushiro.
It is expected that this book will help the Convention become widely known and
promoted further in Japan.
The 7th IMCG Field Symposium in Japan 1996
"The 7th Field Symposium in Japan 1996" is scheduled for the two weeks from
August 25 (Sun.) to September 7 (Sat.), 1996 in the filed at Ramsar sites. The
symposium is a biannual conference of the International Mire Conservation Group
(IMCG) which is made up of mire researchers from 25 countries and features field
discussions. The symposium has been held in the following countries: Austria (1984),
Scotland (1986), Sweden (1988), Ireland (1990), Switzerland (1992), and Norway (1992).
The field discussions will be held at "Kushiro-shitsugen," "Akkeshi-ko and Bekanbeushi-
shitsugen" and "Kiritappu-shitsugen," "Shibetsu," "Ochiishi" and the Kogen Onsen in the
Taisetsuzan mountain range, where constructive and active discussions are expected
to take place under the theme of "Conservation & Management of Mire Ecosystem"
- The wise Use of Mire.
The breeding of Blakiston's fish-owl in the nest box was confirmed in the spring of 1995
(upper) A nest box for Blakiston's fish owl was installed for the training in 1994 (right)
