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"Biological diversity" means that various species and their habitats are well-balanced and healthy, and includes the idea of preserving the diversity of DNA.
We benefit from the diversity of living things in our food, clothing (natural materials), wood and fossil fuels, not to mention the absorption of carbon dioxide by forests and oceans as well as climate management.
Nikon is taking on activities that contribute to society by focusing on the preservation of biological diversity as a key subject.
In Japan, 67% of the land is occupied by forests and many species live there. On the other hand, even though Japan has a lot of forest, biological diversity is endangered*1. And now, devastation of artificially planted forests that make up 40% of forests in Japan has become a big problem.
As for Mt. Fuji, it is losing forests and ecological diversity due to various factors. The Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project targets an artificial forest that has suffered from large-scale damage due to disease and harmful insects since 2002. A single-species forest is superior in productivity and economics; however, all living things in such a forest may face high risks of extermination due to disease, harmful insects and environmental change (abnormal weather conditions) because there is no biological diversity. Nikon's aim was to thin out the artificial forest in rows and plant various broadleaf trees that grow naturally around Mt. Fuji. Mixed planting of broadleaf and coniferous trees that resist environmental change will be promoted steadily and quickly ("natural renewal*2").
Creating a sustainable society requires the cooperation of many stakeholders and goes beyond environmental-conservation activities implemented by a single company. The Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project was planned by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA. President: Ms. Yoshiko Nakano). The Yamanashi Prefectural government, several companies, local citizens and environmental conservation groups are participating in the project. Through the cooperation of these various groups, purposes and methods can be unified, making it possible to reforest a large area of damaged forest more quickly, and to evoke greater public interest and contributions in the near future.
On May 24, 2008, Nikon Group employees and their families planted 1,000 young trees in a 1-hectare area near Mt. Fuji as a project for the year. In total, 120 people including many Nikon Corporation executives joined in the activity. The planting was completed by setting up "wood guards" made of bioplastic to prevent the plants from being eaten by deer and antelope.
Nikon expects that all employees who participated in the project will have a deeper consciousness of biological diversity and environmental conservation through this precious experience with their colleagues, families and children who are our future, as well as making the most of this experience in their daily lives. The company also continues to support the Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project by sending volunteers for maintenance such as planting trees and removing weeds.
| Place | Yamanashi Prefectural government-owned forest in Narusawa-mura, Mt. Fuji (1,600m above sea level. Targeted area: About 100 hectares of forest. Planting area: 50 hectares of the targeted area.) |
| Type of activity | Joint project with the Yamanashi Prefectural government, forestry-related people, companies and eight other groups |
| Activities | Maintenance such as planting trees and removing weeds by volunteers. Long-term fostering and preservation activities such as removing weeds, thinning out trees, and trimming by specialists |
| Planted tree species | Broadleaf trees that grow naturally around Mt. Fuji (oak, beech, painted maple, Japanese alder, and Japanese wild cherry) |
The Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement-International (OISCA)
Public organization with input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare