We previously wrote about the bid for the 2016 Olympics, and the eco-driven initiatives by Tokyo’s representatives. But now, locals are moving to save a park from the development outlined in their Olympic gameplan.

Tokyo has promised a compact and planet-friendly Olympics, but members of the community think otherwise. A specific portion of a park in the area that events are planned to be held is being argued by conservation groups for maintaining it as a natural resource.

Kasai Rinkai Park is home to a wide variety of rare plants and animals, living among the 800,000 square meters. Initially, it was built to revitalize natural habitats that were destroyed by landfill projects in Tokyo Bay. It was opened in 1989, but plans are to replace it with an Olympic canoeing venue.

According to the Tokyo 2016 Bid Promotion Office, over1.4 billion yen will be spent to change the forest and pond into concrete and stands, with a possible recreation facility after the Olympic games. This, however, will impact the nature and wildlife, including endangered species such as the orange hairstreak butterflies, five species of frogs,  over 170 types of waterfowl, and various migratory birds.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has pledged to keep 90 percent of events venues within an eight-kilometer radius if they host the Olympics in 2016. According to its plans, existing facilities are to make up 23 of the 34 Olympic facilities, but the main 100,000-seat stadium will be built in the Harumi district of Chuo Ward, in addition to the canoe slalom facility in Kasai Rinkai Park, which will accommodate 12,000 spectators.

What do you think the best option is? Despite the environmental propositions from the Japanese developers, the other side of the coin delivers the dark side to what is really going to happen to the surrounding area.

Image: Enthusiastic Japanese athletes swim the Tokyo Bay Marathon Swimming course against the backdrop of the Tokyo skyline and iconic Rainbow Bridge; courtesy of tokyo2016.or.jp

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