Japan to propose enhanced protection of biodiversity in paddy fields+

NAIROBI, May 15 Kyodo -
Japan will propose at a global biodiversity meeting in Kenya that a resolution
to be adopted at an upcoming related U.N. conference include a call to enhance
protection of biodiversity in paddy fields, informed sources said Saturday.
The Japanese government, looking ahead to the October U.N. conference in the
central Japanese city of Nagoya, plans to make the proposal next week at a task
force meeting at the conference of parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity in Nairobi.
The proposal comes at the urging of the Japan Civil Network for Convention on
Biological Diversity, made up of a number of environmental protection groups in
Japan. The citizen's group has presented to the government a draft resolution
emphasizing the importance of nurturing ecosystems in paddy fields for
conserving water resources, preventing flooding and stabilizing local climatic
conditions.
The draft asks state parties to take measures to maintain the natural
environment for various species, including fish that move from rivers and ponds
to paddy fields, where they can also serve as food, as well as other aquatic
organisms.
Based on the group's proposal, the Japanese government has decided to include
such calls in the resolution to be adopted at the 10th Conference of the
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the sources said.
While the final wording is still being worked out, the government plans to call
for the recognition of the importance of biodiversity in paddy fields, as well
as urging parties to reinforce protection of biological diversity in
agriculture, they said.
==Kyodo