More than 30 environmental groups demanded that the government adequately survey and protect endangered species living near the site of a dam slated to be built on the Kawabe River in southern Kumamoto Prefecture, in a petition submitted Tuesday.
Representatives of local and national environmental groups visited the Ministry of Construction and the Environment Agency in Tokyo requesting that steps be taken to protect animals listed in the nation's Red Data Book -- the national listing of endangered species.
Of primary concern are kumataka, or mountain hawk eagles, as at least eight of these birds of prey are known to nest in the vicinity of the dam project site.
Also of great concern are two types of insect, a beetle and a spider, known to exist only in the Tsuzurase cave, which is located in the valley that is to be partially inundated.