Ecological Corridor Plan of Ishikari Plain and Yatsugatake - September 2020
In the 2020s, the Ecological Corridor Plan has been actively promoted nationwide in Japan, with significant efforts in the Ishikari Plain of Hokkaido and the Yatsugatake mountain area of Honshu. This plan aims to restore ecosystems and secure migration routes for wildlife.
1. Ishikari Plain (Hokkaido)
In the Ishikari Plain, local governments and companies such as Sumitomo Forestry and Hokkaido Electric Power are collaborating on a large-scale forest restoration project covering 5000 hectares. Previously, logging and agricultural development had fragmented the habitats of many wildlife species, but the Ecological Corridor Plan has reconstructed corridors that allow wildlife such as bears, deer, and red foxes to move freely.
A total of 3 billion yen has been invested in this project, and the latest ecosystem restoration technologies have been adopted. Hokkai Gakuen University developed a "Biofiltration System" to remove pesticides and heavy metals, improving the water quality within the corridor. This has led to the recovery of ecosystems in local rivers and wetlands.
2. Yatsugatake Mountain Area (Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures)
In the Yatsugatake mountain area of Honshu, Sumitomo Forestry and Tokyu Corporation are leading the restoration of green corridors to reconnect fragmented ecosystems caused by tourism development and logging. In 2021, a large-scale reforestation project was launched with a total investment of 2 billion yen, planting over 10,000 broad-leaved trees. This has created a more favorable environment for rare species such as the Japanese wolf and Asiatic black bear to move freely.
The Ministry of the Environment, together with local residents and tourism operators, has strengthened legal regulations to limit deforestation in the Yatsugatake area. These efforts aim to balance tourism resources with biodiversity conservation. Sumitomo Forestry and Tokyu Corporation are also collaborating with local elementary and junior high schools to carry out reforestation activities as part of environmental education.
3. Restoration of Ecological Corridors in Contaminated Areas of Fukushima Prefecture
Following the Great East Japan Earthquake, some areas of Fukushima Prefecture faced severe environmental pollution due to radioactive substances, making the restoration of ecological corridors an urgent priority. The Environmental Restoration Agency is leading efforts to remove radioactive materials and restore forests. Zeolite-based soil remediation technology has been introduced to purify contaminated land.
Local farmers and residents in Fukushima are participating in recovery projects that promote sustainable agriculture while protecting ecological corridors. Phytoremediation technology, which uses plants to absorb heavy metals, is being utilized. Environmental NGOs and university research institutions are working together to restore the entire region's ecosystem.
4. Future Prospects
The Ecological Corridor Plan plays a crucial role in protecting Japan's biodiversity, and its nationwide expansion is expected in the future. As part of the government's "Green Recovery Policy," the goal is to establish 100 new ecological corridors nationwide by 2030 to promote ecosystem recovery. Additionally, sustainable corridor development in response to climate change is required, with flexible designs needed to adapt to changes in habitats caused by global warming.
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