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Sato-yama Sato-umi Regional Management:
A universal cognition and practice for green economy, ecosystem health
and sustainable societies in vulnerable areas of the world
Devon Dublin, D1, Graduate School of Environmental Science, Centre for Sustainable Science (CENSUS), Hokkaido University , Japan
INTRODUCTION
In the wake of globalization, population rise and economic expansion, it has become prudent for governments, private entities such as charities and research
institutions to dedicate resources to the conservation of biodiversity and traditional culture. These decisions however, sometimes does not adequately take into
account the harsh realities of a declining quality of life for local and indigenous people who live in or near vulnerable communities. This is further exacerbated if or
when these communities are excluded from the decision making process and management, usually resulting in huge ecological degradation as a consequence,
oftentimes due to ignoring local knowledge. This study aims to investigate whether the Satoyama-Satoumi concept presents the opportunity to achieve
cohesiveness between the environmental, economical and societal constraints which faces such locations by facilitating a bottom-up peoples approach to
environmental management. Satoyama is a Japanese term for landscapes that comprise a mosaic of different ecosystems which include forests, agricultural
lands, grassland irrigation ponds and human settlements while Satoumi refers to coastal areas where human interactions has resulted in a higher degree of
productivity and biodiversity.
Research Question: Can the Sato-yama Sato-umi concept be applied globally ito obtain sustainability vulnerable communities?
Resource use
based on
carrying
capacity and
resilience of
environment
Recognition of
the importance
and value of
local cultures
and traditions
Collaborative
management of
natural
resources
Communities
living in
harmony with
nature
Cyclic use of
natural
resources
Contributions to
local socioeconomies
Fig. 2 Satoyama landscape (www.satoyama-experience.com)
Fig. 1 Satoyama Structure (The Satoyama Initiative)
METHODOLOGY
1. The study uses data collected via field trips, questionnaire surveys, interviews and documents and follows the history of Satoyama-Satoumi in the Honshu
island of Japan and the introduction of Japanese culture in Hokkaido and its effect on the Ainu.
2. Results obtained from the Hokkaido area is then contextualized to determine the correct approach to the internationalization of the Satoyama-Satoumi
concept.
3. Studies are then conducted in select communities in Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Thailand) and the Amazon (Guyana).
4. A comparative and comprehensive analysis of data is done to arrive at a final theory.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Japan
Guyana
In Samani town, 25 interviews were conducted and 168 questionnaires collected Interviews (n=7) conducted so far in Guyana from representatives of World
and analyzed. The sectors studied included: Government, Tourism, Fishery, Wildlife Fund (WWF), Conservation International (CI), Ministry of Amerindian
Farming, Education and Business. Field visits were made to numerous sites and Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Ministry of Education
and the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) reveals that the government is on
the The public engaged at the Food Festival and a town hall meeting.
At the festival, 95 questionnaires were a fast track to set-up a significant percentage of the Amazon to nature reserves.
collect with 82% of the participants from The indigenous peoples however, enjoys certain protection and guarantees
Samani and the rest being visitors from under the laws of the country and these reserves can only be successful with
Urakawa (11.8%), Erimo (4.7%) and their cooperation.
Sapporo (2.5%). Local food was on
display and on sale and there were
activities that were family oriented as well.
Participants believed that this annual
activity serves to promote local culture
and cuisine (48%), social awareness and
Fig. 3. Age of respondents involved in questionnaire survey
cultural heritage (43%) and community
development (48%).
The town hall meeting, the first of its
Fig. 5. Iwokrama Reserve (Iwokrama International Center)
kind where an outsider of Samani
The Iwokrama Reserve actually engulfs many communities and serves as a
brought together the government and
reference for these future endeavours since it has contributed to an improvement
its citizens, made them sit at the same
in their livelihood thus paving the way for a more economically stable future.
tables and discuss issues of the town,
where they want to go in the future
Indonesia
and how to get there. The results
Field visits made to select communities in Yogyakarta indicated that even in the
obtained at the town hall meeting was
event of natural disasters, the dependency on the natural environment remains
echoed the sentiments expressed in
though the risk is still high. Residents of areas surrounding the Merapi volcano
interviews conducted.
Fig. 4. Participants involved in the Samani Town hall meeting
still view it as blessing to them in spite of their relatives being killed. Their support
Results obtained shows that residents consider the environment as their of this nature reserve is seen as important by the relevant authorities and they
sustenance since most of them are fishers and farmers. The common goal are the guides on the Merapi trail.
shared of having the town as a geo-park and the unique peridotite rock which
exists is seen as iconic for the local culture. Of the 25 interviews conducted, 7
were from the government (28%) which shows the level of support obtained from
the government in actual participation in the research. The results obtained from
the citizens, matched the official position very closely which shows that there was
good connection between the top management and the citizens. At no time did
any participant feel intimidated to please politicians in their responses and at
times were actually critical of some of the shortcomings of the administration.
Fig. 6. Mount Merapi (D. Dublin)
The analysis of literature reveals that although Japan has committed many errors in the past in the name of national and economic development, its success stories
in relation to the management of the environment is premised in part on the concept of Sato-yama Sato-umi. Questionnaire surveys containing 25 questions
conducted so far in Hokkaido of persons (n=25) from 15 nationalities between the ages of 18 and 54 and an equal gender balance showed that 100% of them were
able to appreciate this concept on visits to rural communities with 56% believing that this concept is reflected in their own hometown. Of those surveyed, 92%
indicated that they are willing to promote the concept on their return home and 63% of them expressed optimist that it would work in their homeland.
CONCLUSIONS
There are indications in indigenous communities of the Amazon and Southeast Asia that similar principles though differing in some way or the other are already
being practiced and can serve as a foundation to build on when promoting the Satoyama-Satoumi concept and the same may apply in other areas of the world.
The Sato-yama-Sato-umi concept can be applied in other parts of the world and can serve as a global means for the sustainable use and management of the
environment but its introduction must take into consideration the unique characteristics of the local communities in question.
REFERENCES
Duraiappah, A.; K. Nakamura; K. Takeuchi; M. Watanabe and M. Nishi (2012), Satoyama-Satoumi Ecosystems and Human Well-Being, United Nations University Press, Japan
Kachorek, E. (2003), An analysis of the integrated conservation and development paradigm: a case study from Guyana , University of California, USA
Sari, E. (2010), Non timber forest product utilization and awareness of small – scale industry development in forest communities - A case study in East Kalimantan, Journal of Forestry Research Vol. 7, No. 2: 70-89
The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (2010), Satoyama Initiative ,Tokyo, Japan
The Responsible Ecological Social Tours Project (2011), Kiriwong Community, Bangkok,Thailand