The Road to the Registration of Iriomote Island, Almost Entirely a National Park, as a Natural World Heritage Site
- Park Ranger at the Iriomote Island Nature Conservation Bureau, Okinawa Amami Nature Conservation Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment
- Yasunori Takenaka
- Profile
- Born in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture. Traveled around Japan by motorcycle and bicycle since his school years as a travel and nature enthusiast. Worked at Joshin’etsukogen National Park, Kushiroshitsugen National Park, Teuri Island Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Embassy of Japan in Brazil before taking on the current position. Shares that the greatest pleasure of travel is the joy of encountering something you have never seen before. Current hobbies include island jogging.
Diversity of Nature Helps Protect Plants and Animals
The wonder of Iriomote Island is the various patterns of nature that are connected without disruption. There are mountains, rivers, and the sea beside towns. The mountains have streams and subtropical forests; coastal forests connect with wetlands and mangrove forests; and coral reefs abound in the ocean. The diverse natural environments are inhabited by creatures adapted to each environment.
A world with rich biodiversity that includes endemic species such as the Iriomote wildcat, is created by maintaining an exquisite balance while influencing each other. This was highly valued, whereby July 2021, Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, northern Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island were registered as the fifth natural world heritage site in Japan.
From Recommendation for Deferral to Natural World Heritage Site Registration
In May of 2018, the year I transferred to Iriomote Island, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an advisory board of UNESCO, delivered a recommendation for deferral, which led to a period of turmoil and reassessment toward a second application. In the recommendation for deferral, the two main issues were the nominated area and tourism management.
One of the criteria for registration as a natural world heritage site is “completeness”: if the area has enough integrity, it can be protected as a world heritage. It was pointed out that Iriomote Island, as well as northern Okinawa Island and the other nominated areas were too spread out. In 2016, almost all of Iriomote Island became a national park, and in the re-application almost all of it was nominated, and it became registered. About 72% of Iriomote Island became a conservation area.
The other issue was tourism management, which means preventing the impact of increased tourism on the natural environment and the local residents’ way of life. Before the pandemic there were about 300,000 visitors per year, and there were concerns over possible impacts on the natural environment and residents' lives. In particular, traffic accidents involving Iriomote wildcats were identified as a problem that needs action. In addition to establishing roads (underpasses) in 123 locations to avoid wildcats crossing the prefectural highways on the island, we are also working on various other projects.
Role of the Ministry of the Environment and Rangers’ Work
I understand the feeling of wanting to see an Iriomote wildcat. However, they’re not that easy to find, and when you do see one, we want people to watch it quietly from afar. I recommend travelers to first visit the Iriomote Wildlife Center to learn about the island. We plan to update our displays next spring. Our job is to take care of injured wild animals, such as the Iriomote wildcat or the crested serpent eagle, and to return them to the wild. In the future, we hope to be able to have guests visit our conservation facilities as well.
At the Ministry of the Environment, we are working with Taketomi Town Office to create new rules for ecotourism. We are in the process of designating areas (zoning) and making rules specifically for tourism. In an effort to establish an Iriomote Foundation for nature conservation and appropriate tourism management, the Ministry of the Environment and Taketomi Town Office are acting as the administrative offices to support the preparatory stages of the foundation. I want to continue protecting the wonderful nature of Iriomote Island while introducing it to everyone.
InterviewerTravel JournalistAkiko Nokata
Born in Fukushima Prefecture. 28 years of interview experience focusing on the towns, people, hot springs, and accommodations of Japan. Introduced as a travel expert on a Japanese TV show, "The Solomon Style." Certified as an onsen (hot spring) sommelier ambassador, sleep & health advisor, listening specialist, sauna & spa professional, Japanese tea advisor. First encounter with Hoshino Resorts in the '90s, through the participation of a tour by Picchio.
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