A bill that would allow limits on visitors to national parks and other sensitive areas to protect the sites at a time of improved access and growing popularity was approved Friday by the Cabinet.
The bill is designed to combat the growing amount of human traffic to parks and the attendant impact on wildlife, including waste left behind and wild plants destroyed. It is targeted at national parks, quasi-national parks and prefecture-designated natural parks.
The amendment is to take effect in April 2003, at which time Environment Ministry officials say they hope to impose restrictions on visitors to Shiretoko National Park in northeastern Hokkaido.