Midori Ippai Project Activities LINE 141Protection of Endangered Species "Japanese Rosy Bitterling" and Restoration of Satoyama (Village Forests) August 30, 2015 NTT West Nara Group
As part of the biodiversity conservation activities, NTT West Nara Group has been providing support since 2011 to the protection of Japanese rosy bitterling, an endangered species, as well as the restoration of satoyama (village forests) around the pond where the fish inhabits. These activities are conducted by the Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University in the school campus.
A total of 30 employees and family members of NTT West Nara Group took part in this activity, during which they made scarecrows for the rice fields where rice planting was conducted at the last activity (June 7, 2015). As with before, plants around the pond were also trimmed.
The event kicked off with an opening address by Mr. Ono (Manager of Nara Branch), followed by a briefing on the objectives of the activity by Associate Professor Kitagawa (Environmental Management Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University) and a tour to the mini satoyama aquarium run by the students.
Although the aquarium was small in scale, the participating children stared intriguingly at the fish tanks and got really excited when they touched the turtles.
After touring the aquarium, the participants were divided into two groups for making scarecrows and trimming plants respectively.
Making of scarecrows was carried out mainly by the participating children with support from the university students. Participants brought with them unwanted clothes from their homes, which were used to make into four colorful scarecrows decorated with bright-colored accessories.
Upon completion, all the participants helped to carry the scarecrows to the rice field, where they were installed to protect the rice plants from birds and other animals.
Trimming of grass and plants in the overgrown areas around the pond were carried out in the rain using grass cutters and sickles by the male participants, who focused on the work without much talking. Thanks to their hard work, the forest brightened up in no time.
We had a large number of children taking part in this activity as it was held during the summer vacation. We believe this was a memorable summer experience to them.
The main activities that are scheduled include rice harvesting in October and water draining in December.
NTT West Nara Group will continue to engage in the "Protection of Endangered Species Japanese Rosy Bitterling and Restoration of Satoyama (Village Forests)" activity in future, and we look forward to the participation of many employees and their family.
- Participating companies
- NTT West Nara Branch (Planning and General Affairs Department)
NTT Neomeit (Technical Alliance Department)
NTT Business Solutions Kansai Branch (Nara Corporate Business Department)
NTT Fieldtechno Kansai Branch (Equipment Department; Nara Office)
NTT Marketing Act Kansai Branch (Kyoto Office)
NTT Neomeit Kansai Branch (Network Department)
NTT Business Associe West Kansai Branch (Planning Department; Osaka Office; Nara Office) - Secretariat
- NTT Business Associe West Kansai Branch, Nara Office, General Affairs IC
- Venue
- Inside the premises of Faculty of Agriculture, Kindai University (Nara City, Nakamachi 3327-204)
- No. of participants
- 30
