LINE 198 Participation in the "14th Abe River Driftwood Cleanup Festival"

On November 20 (Sunday), the ""14th Abe River Driftwood Cleanup Festival"" was held (organizer: executive committee including Office of River under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
A total of 132 employees, family members and retirees of NTT West Shizuoka Group joined in the large group of participants to take part in the cleaning of the riverbed along Abe River.

Abe River (53.3km in length) is a class A river that flows through Aoi-ku to Suruga-ku in Shizuoka City. Renowned as a clear river with no dam, the underground water is also used for the tap water in the city.

The "Abe River Driftwood Cleanup Festival" is fixed on the third Sunday of November every year before the advent of the dry season. Also, the likelihood of flooding is low during this period so works can be carried out safely.

In the speech by the organizer, it was mentioned that large quantities of wood flow out from the wastelands at the upstream of Abe River whenever there is a flood, which become driftwood as they reach the river channels and coasts.
Besides affecting the beautiful scenery of the river adversely, the large amount of driftwood also has a significant impact on fishery not only in Abe River but also in Suruga Bay. In other words, damage caused by the driftwood is extensive, which ranges from the local environment to forest maintenance and fishery.
The organizer added that it is vital for people including the local communities and users of the river to recognize the importance of this issue and take actions while showing concern about the driftwood in order to maintain a clean Abe River.

Although the quantity of driftwood varies each year and was lesser in 2016 with no typhoon that directly hit the area, the amount of driftwood and trash found in the river was still considerable. Participants of the festival combined their efforts to move the driftwood and trash to the storage space while drenching in sweat.

We would like to thank all the employees, family members and retired employees who took part in this activity.

<Reference> (Data released by organizer)
- Total no. of participants: 1,600
- Volume of trash collected (mainly driftwood): approx. 40m3

Participating companies

Companies under NTT West Business Unit (NTT West Shizuoka Branch, NTT Business Solutions, NTT Marketing Act, NTT Fieldtechno, NTT Business Associe West)
NTT Facilities
Shizuoka NDS
Retired employees

Venue

Riverbed of Abe River (from Abekawa Bridge to Anzai Bridge in Shizuoka City, Aoi-ku, Tamachi, Abekawa Shinsui Recreation Square)

No. of participants

132