Island Biodiversity is being threatened by Military Base Constructions!

[Gangjeong, Takae, Henoko Villagers' Joint Statement] Island Biodiversity is being threatened by Military Base Constructions! Island Biodiversity under threatAt this moment, on Jeju Island, South Korea and Okinawa, Japan, new military bases are being constructed against the will of the residents. In Gangjeong village of Jeju, a massive naval base construction has destroyed Gureombi rock, a designated ultinamte conservation area for the unique basalt rock formation which worth geological value. Various endangered marine life in Gangjeong Sea such as soft corals are under threat from it. The sea around Jeju naval base is a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve and also protected by the Korean government as a natural monument. However, the base construction is having negative impacts on coastal fishery, women divers and fishermen testify. In Okinawa, Japan, dredging plan for new US military base construction is under way in Henoko and Oura Bay, famous for the coral clumps and rich marine algae forest. Land construction is already going on. This area is an important feeding ground for dugong, an IUCN listed endangered marine mammal. Takae mountainous area in northeast Okinawa is located in Yanbaru, a unique subtropical rainforest in which a huge US Marine Corps facility exists. Yanbaru forest is well-known as one of the important ecological areas on the planet, a habitat for endemic species such as Okinawa Woodpecker and Okinawa Rail, special natural monuments of Japan, and many more unidentified species. Military training activities are causing noise and tremor damage in the area, and a further six new helipads construction plan was announced. Stop New Military Base Constructions in Takae and Henoko, Jeju Naval Base!The main theme of International Day for Biological Diversity 2014 was 'island biodiversity'. Islands and their surrounding marine areas have unique ecosystem, linked to rivers and forest. Development plans on islands and the near-shore areas change natural environment on a large scale, and damage biodiversity. Especially, military base construction and its use make a big threat for the local residents as their subsistence gets damaged. Jeju naval base project, and new military bases in Henoko and Takae are being constructed at the cost of local residents' tears without getting the consent of the people. Base construction is the destruction of life and marine environment of Jeju and Okinawa. There is no peace without life, and no life without peace. The military bases of Jeju Gangjeong and Henoko, Takae destroy the people's way of living their lives closely related to the sea, much less marine ecosystem. We do not want our pristine islands of Jeju and Okinawa, the grounds and treasure house for life, to be threatened and destroyed by military base construction. Not only designation of conservation areas for endangered species but also essential protection plan is important. New military base constructions in Henoko, Takae, and Jeju naval base construction should be stopped. October 9, 2014CBD COP12 Side-EventParticipants of Threats to the Island Biodiversity by Military Base Constructions in Okinawa, Japan and Jeju, Korea.