MATSUE CITY, Japan — Under the 9th Ramsar Convention, held in 2005, the Japanese lakes Shinji-ko and Nakaumi are recognised as Wetlands of International Importance.

Shinji-ko, together with the neighbouring Nakaumi lake, form the largest brackish water system in Japan. The mix of fresh water from the rivers feeding Shinji-ko and the salt water from Nakaumi, itself fed by the Sea of Japan, creates a diverse ecosystem that provides both recreation and a livelihood for those who live around it. Shinji-ko is one-tenth seawater and Nakaumi has a salinity index of 50 per cent. This gives them the ability to support the over 20,000 water birds that visit annually.

Yukiko Saki, assistant director of the prefecture’s Environmental Policy Division is working to maintain the factors that gained Shinji-ko its international status using a distinctive blend of technical data and efforts to foster a community connection with Japan’s seventh largest lake and its over 18,000 acres of surrounding wetlands.

“Lake Shinji is for the people, and the best way for them to understand that is for them to interact with it,” Saki told the Jamaica Observer.

The Ramsar Convention was adopted in February 1971 for the conservation and wise use of all wetlands such as Shinji-ko and Nakaumi. Beyond this, the region sees economic activity in the areas of fishing, and seaweed harvesting to name a few. Around the lakes are also several tourism locales, including the Shinji-ko Green Park and the Shimane Art Museum.

Saki explained that the majority of the waste came from various industries attached to the rivers that flow to the lake, and once policing methods were put in place this has led to a year-over-year reduction of pollution into Shinji-ko and improved water quality.

“Right now it sits at 74 per cent. This is not a set number under the Ramsar Convention. Our own prefectural goal is 80 per cent and above,” she said, expanding on one of the several graphs she had on display for the visiting participants in the 2024 Association for Promotion of International Cooperation Japan Journalism Fellowship programme.

To further enhance conservation of the lake, Saki leads an education programme that engages the local residents, especially young students, in various ways.

“While we have a cleanup focus, and monitor for illegal waste, it is the schoolchildren that take part by testing the water themselves,” she said.

The youngsters are taught how to protect and use the wetlands properly, and are given a five-stage checklist to help monitor the water. Saki has nothing but faith in the programme and eventually hopes to create beaches around the lake.

“We found that building up the edges of the lake with sand reduces the waves that hamper aquatic life, but this will further allow residents to use Shinji-ko in a new way, increasing their relationship with the lake, wanting to protect it,” she said.