Reconsideration of “Natural Preservation”

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  • 「自然保護」再考―青森県脇野沢村における「北限のサル」と「山猿」―

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<p>The purpose of this paper is to describe the complexity of relations between man and nature, and present my ideas on how to deal with the problems that arise from this complexity. Recently, terms like Sustainability or Diversity are used as key words in the time of environmental crisis.</p><p>However, it is not always clear how we should face nature. Many people simply think of nature as something to protect, which can be done only by control over human activities. However, especially in the rural areas, where many people depend directly on nature, its reality and image are totally different. The “valuable” nature of environmentalists is only a part of the daily relations between man and nature. We must understand the complexity of these relations, if we are to coexist with nature. Bioregionalistic approaches make it clear that environment-friendly attitudes originate from local cultures or traditions. These approaches, however, do not always make clear the negative aspects of nature.</p><p>In Wakinosawa village, located in the north of Honshu (Main Island of Japan), there is a serious problem about wild monkeys. Although these monkeys are very rare and authorized as a national monument, they damage the crops very seriously. Village people think of monkeys as a kind of “trouble-maker”. There are many reasons why monkeys become so rare, and how they have come to eat crops, which have been scarcely discussed. In spite of these “troubles”, local people are not willing to exterminate them as noxious animals. They are trying to coexist with them with much effort. This case suggests that we should have a new point of view about relations between man and nature. To make a “convivial” relationship means to try to face and struggle with these complexities, which can be seen in Wakinosawa</p><p>These trials have been made, not only because the monkeys are rare or “valuable”, but also because they are there. The “troubles”and responses make the existence of the monkeys obvious, vivid and close to local people. It can be said that local people try to coexist with the monkeys because they are “trouble makers”. One has to look at the negative side of nature in order to acquire a new perspective of coexistence.</p>

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