Midori Ippai Project Activities LINE 323Participation in Otsu City "Public Reed Cutting Activity" January 27, 2019 NTT West Shiga Group
On January 27, 2019 (Sunday), the "Otsu City Public Reed Cutting Activity" was held by Otsu City at the reed colonies in front of "Activa Biwa" in Otsu City, Ogoto. This is a yearly event that is participated by companies and local community groups in Otsu City. This year, a total of 20 participants, including employees of NTT West Shiga Group and affiliate companies as well as their family members, took part in the activity.
A member of the gramineous plant family, reeds form large colonies near the water of lakes, marshes and rivers. Reeds that sprout in April would grow to a height close to 2m in as short as two to three months' time, and close to 4m from mid December to late March. Cutting reeds that have grown from absorbing nitrogen and phosphorous in the water in the winter season not only contributes to purification of the water quality, but also helps to maintain the original ecosystem. At the same time, reed colonies are also the habitat of wild birds and fish for them to lay eggs and grow.
Temperature went below the freezing point and snow accumulated on the morning of the event, but work was performed with sunlight breaking through the clouds. Despite the harsh conditions with participants losing balance every now and then due to the slushy ground, all of them united their effort to carry out the series of tasks from cutting the reeds carefully with a sickle and tying them into a bundle using a rope.
The reeds that are harvested at this activity will be made into "yoshi taimatsu" (reed torches), which will be lit with fire concurrently in Ogoto and other areas of the city on the night of "Biwako Biraki" (start of sightseeing season at Lake Biwa) on March 2, 2019 to create a fantastical atmosphere.
NTT West Shiga Group will continue to engage actively in biodiversity conservation activities while cooperating with the local communities.
- Participating companies
- NTT West Shiga BU Group
- Venue
- Reed colonies near the Activa Biwa facility in Otsu City, Ogoto
- No. of participants
- Approx. 20
