Morotsuka, a village in Miyazaki Prefecture in southwest Japan, acquired Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification in October, 2004. This is the first FSC certification for a forest in the Kyushu region and also the first time certification was acquired by a village.

The village is located in the center of the Kyushu Mountain Range, and is surrounded by mountains around 1,000 meters above sea level. It has a population of about 2,300 and a rich natural environment. Forest occupies 95 percent of the village's total area, and villagers have put forest resources to work by engaging in slash-and-burn farming, charcoal burning, and shiitake mushroom cultivation. Their enthusiasm to better utilize their rich forest resources spurred them to obtain certification.

Village volunteers started a study group for obtaining FSC certification in 2002. They managed to advance to the final review in August 2004 and finally acquired the certification. Encouraged by this achievement, villagers are working hard to develop forest management systems in the village built and maintained by their ancestors.



Posted: 2005/04/12 08:42:35 PM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Local government , System/Law