The End of a Forestless Village - Forest Neglect and Regeneration in Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (2001-2006)

The End of a Forestless Village - Forest Neglect and Regeneration in Toyone Village, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (2001-2006)

Toyone Village in Aichi Prefecture is 93% forest, of which approximately 80% is planted forests of Japanese cedar and cypress. The village once had a thriving forestry industry, but due to the increase in imported timber and the slump in domestic timber prices, the forestry industry has declined and the forests have been left unattended and unthinned. As a result, undergrowth has not grown and the soil's water retention capacity has decreased, increasing the risk of sediment runoff, landslides, and ecosystem collapse.

To address these issues, the village formulated the "Tone Tree Cycle Concept" in 2001. The village began efforts to recycle wood from thinning in the region, and built a pellet manufacturing facility, the "Toyone Wood Cycle Center," which is used to heat public facilities. In 2009, the village enacted the "Toyone Village Forest Development Ordinance" and established a system to sustainably maintain the multifaceted functions of its forests.

However, with issues such as stable demand for wood pellets and the aging of forestry workers, support from many directions is needed to realize sustainable forest management. Toyone Village's efforts are attracting attention as a model for the recycling of local resources and the revitalization of mountain villages.