「田園自然再生活動コンクール」応募票にみる農村地域における自然再生活動の俯瞰的現状

概要

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Nature restoration activities are important as environmental and agricultural countermeasures in rural regions. In order to gain an overview of how development of agricultural communities is carried through the collaboration of farmers, local residents, NPOs, and other organizations in an environmentally friendly manner, analysis was carried out of the applications to participate in 207 activities comprising the “Nature Restoration Activities in Rural Areas Contest” hosted by, among others, The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. Results showed that the scope of the activities has broadened rapidly since 1995, generally as a result of burgeoning concern over decline in numbers of wildlife species and deterioration of agricultural land and copses. Also revealed was that the activities now span a diverse range, centered on nature regeneration, and including environmental improvements to the habitat of organisms in irrigation channels and other locations, and environmental education about rice fields and ponds. It was clear from this study that activities including the development of branded agricultural produce and the maintenance and improvement of facilities for contact with nature were being undertaken for the purposes of improving the local economy and society.