d) Means for preservation/conservation

iii) Management of the buffer zones In the area surrounding the three nominated villages, the following laws and regulations provide effective buffer zones for the protection of the historic environment. 1. Ogimachi Village Buffer Zone I: The area immediately surrounding Ogimachi Village is designated as a Historic Cultural Landscape Protection District in accordance with the Shirakawa-Mura Regulations Related to the Control of the Natural Environment. Buffer Zone II: This is the controlled area immediately outside Buffer Zone I . This area is under the control of the same regulation, the Shirakawa-Mura Regulations Related to the Control of the Natural Environment. Anyone who carries out any kind of construction-related work is required to take all necessary precautions to avoid damaging the natural environment of Mura. In addition, the regulations strictly control any development actions over a certain size involving building site preparation work, tree-cutting work, etc. 2. Ainokura Village Buffer Zone I: This buffer zone, which is shared by both Ainokura and Suganuma Villages, contains the area of the Gokayama Prefectural Natural Park, designated in accordance with the Toyama Prefectural Natural Parks Regulation. In this park area the regulations control the construction or renovation of buildings and structures, the cutting of trees or bamboo, and land reclamation work involving landfill or drainage. In addition, a portion of this buffer zone which is immediately adjacent to the nominated district and which overlaps it to include part of the district itself was designated as a Historic Site in accordance with the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. In the Historic Site area, any alteration of the existing state of buildings, structures or natural features requires the permission of the national government. Any actions which could cause harm to the historic surroundings are prohibited. Buffer Zone II: This is the controlled area immediately outside Buffer Zone I, containing the entire area of Taira-Mura. This area is under the control of the Taira-Mura Regulations Related to the Conservation of the Natural Environment and Cultural Landscape. Anyone who carries out any kind of construction-related work is required to take all necessary precautions to avoid damaging the natural environment of Mura. In addition, the regulations strictly control any development actions over a certain size involving building site preparation work, tree-cutting work, etc. 3. Suganuma Village Buffer Zone I: This Buffer Zone contains both the area designated as a Historic Site in accordance with the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties and the area designated as the Gokayama Prefectural Natural Park in accordance with the Toyama Prefectural Natural Park Regulation; the park zone, as mentioned above, is shared with Ainokura Village. In this park area the regulations control the construction or remodeling of buildings and structures, the cutting of trees or bamboo, and land reclamation work involving landfill or drainage. In addition, a portion of this buffer zone which is immediately adjacent to the nominated district and which overlaps it to include part of the district itself was designated as a Historic Site in accordance with the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. In the Historic Site area, any alteration of the existing state of buildings, structures or natural features requires the permission of the national government. Buffer Zone II: This is the controlled area immediately outside Buffer Zone I, containing the entire area of Kamitaira-Mura. This area is under the control of the Kamitaira-Mura Regulations Related to the Conservation of the Natural Environment and Cultural Landscape. Anyone who carries out any kind of construction-related work is required to take all necessary precautions to avoid damaging the natural environment of Mura. In addition, the regulations strictly control any development actions over a certain size involving building site preparation work, tree-cutting work, etc.