tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388372827914524197.post852222213649055831..comments2023-05-27T00:08:34.330+09:00Comments on Japan - after the BIG earthquake: May 08, SundayGabi Grevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16362456518166174106noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7388372827914524197.post-45396579600099026252011-05-08T12:49:12.996+09:002011-05-08T12:49:12.996+09:00Tsunami, wildfires triggered by quake ravaged over...<b>Tsunami, wildfires triggered by quake ravaged over 1,600 hectares of forest</b><br /><br />Fires and the tsunami triggered by the March 11 earthquake ravaged over 1,600 hectares of forests in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, it has been learned.<br /><br />The damaged areas -- totaling at least 1,669 hectares -- are larger than all of Nakano Ward or Shibuya Ward in Tokyo, according to a study by the prefectural governments in northeast Japan.<br /><br />At least 879 hectares of tidal wave protection forests were lost to the tsunami in the three prefectures, while another 790 hectares of forests were destroyed by wildfire. The wide extent of the damage has put local authorities at odds over reforestation plans as the reconstruction of coastal levees and the future urban development remain undecided.<br /><br />In Iwate Prefecture -- where 86 hectares of forests were lost to the tsunami -- the city of Rikuzentakata suffered massive damage with the scenic landscape of 70,000 pine trees in the coastal Takatamatsubara area destroyed. The ground in many areas where tidal wave protection forests used to stand has sunk, making it difficult to replant such forests in the same areas.<br /><br />Furthermore, a total of 665 hectares of forest were lost to wildfire in the Taro district of the city of Miyako and the town of Yamada in Iwate Prefecture. "We can't make any decision until we draw up urban development plans and reconstruct coastal levees, but we'd like to look into plans for restoration (of forest areas)," said an official with the Iwate Prefectural Government.<br /><br />In Miyagi Prefecture, which suffered the most serious damage to its tsunami protection forests, 640 hectares of trees were lost to the tsunami. In the Arahama district of Sendai's Wakabayashi Ward and the town of Watari, it is estimated it will take at least three years to remove debris piled up on the devastated coastline.<br /><br />At the Rikuchu-Kaigan National Park in Kesennuma, some 125 hectares of forest embracing red pine trees and cedar trees were lost to wildfire.<br /><br />MORE in Mainichi<br />http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/news/20110507p2a00m0na015000c.html<br />.anonymous newshttp://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/national/news/20110507p2a00m0na015000c.htmlnoreply@blogger.com