In the Echigo Plain, rice cultivation has advanced through mechanization and labor-saving measures.
Massacre of aquatic animals and plants!
In the past 50 years, streams have disappeared from the countryside, and aquatic animals have been wiped out.
Examples of aquatic animals that have disappeared:
- Japanese black spotted pond frog (トノサマガエル)
- Bullfrog (ウシガエル)
- Newt (イモリ)
- Japanese eel (雷魚)
- Catfish (ナマズ)
- Carp (コイ)
- Crucian carp (フナ)
- Loach (ドジョウ)
- Rice fish (メダカ)
- Water bug (タガメ)
- Japanese pond snail (タニシ)
- Diving beetle (ゲンゴロー)
These animals were once common companions of children playing in the countryside, but they have now lost their homes and have been massacred.
The natural streams with aquatic plants and mud have been replaced by concrete water channels (water supply), and aquatic animals have been driven from their homes and wiped out.
As a result of this drastic environmental change, other plants and animals that are part of the food chain with these aquatic animals have also become similarly unseen.
It’s high time we considered utilizing public funds to revitalize our vanishing streams.
As humans continue to prioritize efficiency, the world is increasingly experiencing the backlash from nature. This is especially felt by the younger generations who will inherit the future.
Politics and Infrastructure Development
Traditionally, politics has been driven by the dynamics of votes and money, leading to the prioritization of infrastructure development. However, environmental issues are now gaining significant attention, and their impact on economy and politics cannot be ignored.
I fervently yearn for the revitalization of rural streams！
A telling anecdote highlighting Germany’s exceptional environmental awareness:
While traveling in Germany and driving on the Autobahn, a German individual made a striking remark to me, “This is the Berlin Wall for animals.” This profound metaphor served as a powerful reminder of the Autobahn’s detrimental impact on animal migration and the fragmentation of ecosystems. Having never encountered such a perspective in Japan, I was deeply struck by the remarkable level of environmental consciousness prevalent in Germany.
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