Climbers flock in record numbers to Mount Fuji in the summer of 2008.
It seems cities and towns around Mount Fuji are considering charging a small free from climbers of Mount Fuji to help in their environmental conservation efforts as 2008 saw record numbers of people climbing Japan’s highest mountain.
Led by Fujiyoshida Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi, the leaders and other local officials in Yamanashi Prefecture have voiced concerns about the destruction of the environment and an increase in the number of people injured while climbing the mountain.
Yoshiyasu Watanabe, mayor of Fujikawaguchiko, said he was in favor of Horiuchi’s idea and added that such a fee would contribute to the improvement of the environment at a time when parties are pushing for Mount Fuji’s listing on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
This is a reasonable idea. The number of people hiking up the mountain is already approaching ridiculous levels; traffic jams near the top of Mount Fuji attest to the sheer number of climbers that puts a huge strain on the mountain’s environment. Although a small climbing fee will not reduce the number of climbers (as feared by businesses) who are intent on bagging Mount Fuji’s summit, it may be useful to redouble conservation efforts on Mount Fuji.
Other protected areas of Japan, like the UNESCO-designated World Heritage sites of Shirakami Range and Yakushima Island, already collect small fees from visitors.
Recent Comments