Support for wildlife damage control in forests

About 80% of forest damage caused by wild birds and animals is caused by deer. Due to the increase in deer population and the expansion of their habitat, forests are suffering serious damage.

Details of the damage include feeding damage to trees, stripping of bark, decline or disappearance of understory vegetation due to feeding damage, and bare ground. About 20% of the forests in Japan have been damaged by deer, and the damage area is said to reach about 6,000 hectares (about 1,200 times the size of Tokyo Dome).

Deer are highly fertile and will give birth almost every year if the environment is favorable. It is said that if there is no capture, the population will increase at an annual rate of about 20%, and the population will double in four to five years.

For this reason, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries have set a goal of halving the population of deer (and wild boars) over the next 10 years. It is implemented by prefectures.

Types of support for wildlife damage control in forests

There are the following projects as support for wildlife damage countermeasures for forests implemented by the national government.

1. Emergency measures for forest damage caused by deer

This is a project to implement exemplary systematic capture and control mainly by those involved in the forestry industry.

A: Emergency measures to prevent deer forest damage

A council consisting of multiple municipalities and forest management offices formulates and implements deer damage control plans. It is a project to carry out prevention activities such as trapping and installation of protective fences in cooperation with the area.

In addition, in areas where new deer invasions are feared or areas where deer population density is increasing, we will strengthen the deer monitoring system by conducting behavior tracking surveys using GPS collars and monitoring systems using automatic cameras. It also aims to strengthen Click here for Inohoi's recommended automatic shooting cameras>>

B: Research on promotion of deer damage countermeasures

This is a project to investigate and analyze the risk of damage caused by deer in forests, and to consider necessary measures. It is entrusted from the country to a private organization with a consignment fee.

2. Forest environment conservation and improvement project

For the purpose of creating and preserving healthy forests, support is provided for projects that prevent damage to forests caused by wild birds and animals, and develop and preserve ancillary facilities (such as intrusion prevention fences) to control the movement of wild birds and animals.

In addition, in damaged forests that have been eaten by deer, projects that lure deer with bait and capture them with traps will be supported. It is implemented mainly by prefectures, municipalities, forest owners, forestry associations, and forest improvement corporations.

3. Wildlife Damage Prevention Comprehensive Measures Grant

Support will be provided for community-wide efforts to prevent damage led by municipalities, such as the installation of fences to prevent deer and other wildlife from entering, and direct funding for capture activities. By applying for a business plan, etc., the target group will receive grants from the national government through each prefecture. This article provides detailed information .

4. Next-generation forestry foundation building subsidy (of which, forest and forestry regeneration foundation building subsidy)

Support will be provided for damage prevention measures taken by prefectures, municipalities, etc. in consideration of the damage situation and according to the actual situation of the region. The subsidy supports various efforts to develop infrastructure for maintaining local forests and their utilization, as well as to promote the forestry and timber industries. Wildlife damage control projects for the protection of forest resources are also covered. increase.

5. Multi-functioning measures for forests and mountain villages

Satoyama forests are forests that have been maintained and managed for a long time by local residents, and have been maintained and managed for a long time. Therefore, the Forestry Agency provides subsidies to support activities for the conservation and management of satoyama forests and the utilization of resources, which are carried out in cooperation with local residents, forest owners, and forest owners.

Assistance is also provided for the purchase and installation of equipment and materials necessary for carrying out activities. For example, 1/2 of the necessary amount is provided for the purchase of traps for catching wild birds and animals such as deer. will be

In order to receive support, it is necessary to establish an activity organization, and the organization must consist of people (three or more) who meet the actual situation of the area, such as local residents and forest owners. Forests eligible for subsidies are forests for which no forest management plan has been formulated at the time of activity. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a plan that describes the name of the organization, location, background and outline of the activity, three-year activity plan, activity details for each fiscal year, plan drawing, and commissioned details.

Once these preparations are complete, the process is to apply for support to the regional council.

summary

In order to contribute to the reduction of forest damage caused by deer, various types of assistance such as those mentioned above are being implemented. The above is government support, and I think that the content and scale will change depending on the year and the region that receives the subsidy. I would appreciate it if you could confirm.

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