Project Background and Objectives

Lake Shinjiko is a brackish water lake situated in the downstream of the Liver Hiigawa water system. It used to be blessed with peculiar fishes and fish dishes called nanachin or seven delicacies were very famous. A rich reed belt surrounding Lake Shinjiko has taken important roles in growing precious regional resources and conserving the lake’s water quality. However, the coast is covered with concrete bank protection and the reed belt has been decreasing as human’s life and economic activities have been prioritised. What is more, inflow of various liquid waste to the lake and oil discharge accidents have worsened the lake’s water quality and water environment rapidly.

Thus, to restore the lake’s water environment with the reed belt, the Citizens’ Group for Reed Restoration in Lake Shinjiko has been working on the restoration to the reed belt in cooperation with people in the basin. The group has utilised materials in the basin and used its original bamboo pots to grow reeds, wooden mattresses for bank protection formation and mattresses for wave extinguish.

Project Abstract and Effects of Project

The Citizens’ Group for Reed Restoration in Lake Shinjiko is a cooperative organisation unifying some industries, governments, study groups and citizens. Children, who shoulder the next generation, are the centre of its activities.

Organisational Chart

Its activities are;

1. Selection of a reed planting site and consultation on the restoration of the reed bed with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Government of Japan.
2. Enlightenment (lectures, etc.)
3. Workshops on wooden pot making for reed planting and those on water environment conservation.

   Workshop of Wooden Pots

   Workshop on Water Environment

4. Events on reed planting.

   Reed Planting

5. Reinforcement and management after planting. Materials, utilising resources in the River Hii, and construction methods listed below have been used.
• Materials Used: Thick-stemmed bamboos
  Purpose to Use: To protect reeds from strong waves in Lake Shinjiko.
  Others: Growing bamboos utilised
  *A patent obtained by Mr. Kotani, the chairman of the board of directors, in February, 2002.
  
• Wooden mattresses for River Bank Construction (Used till 2002)
  Materials Used: thinnings produced in Shimane prefecture
  Purpose to Use: To construct bank protection with reeds.
  *A patent obtained by Mr. Kotani, the chairman of the board of directors, in February, 2002.

  Before Construction

  After Construction

• Wave extinguish mattresses (brushwood mattresses)
  Materials Used: thinnings produced in Shimane prefecture, brushwood
  Purpose to Use: To protect reed shores from strong waves in Lake Shinjiko.

  Before Construction

  After Construction

• Woven Fences
  Materials Used: Thick-stemmed bamboos, thinnings produced in Shimane prefecture, branches of thinned cypress
  Purpose to Use: To protect reed shores from strong waves in Lake Shinjiko.

  Before Construction

  After Construction

As a result, 11,576 wooden pots and 23,152 reed saplings have been planted on the coast of Lake Shinjiko by 2004. In addition, 2,438 elementary school students, 3,896 if all is counted, have planted reeds. The activities have been continued so far.

Reed Belt Restored

Subjective evaluation listed below is also conducted.

1. Whether or not a place of “experience of community contribution” has been provided with students participating the activities.
2. Whether or not a programme with the good combination of study and social experience, which school aims at, has been provided.
3. Whether or not a place of experience of utilising disorderly expanding bamboo groves is provided.
4. Whether or not effective use of resources to protect the Liver Hii basin has been successful and whether or not the importance of activities in cooperation of various bodies has been perceived.

Distinctive Features of Project (Factors and Keys to Success)

The activities are unique in that various organisations and children, who shoulder the next generation, are working as the centre. It is also unique that wooden mattresses making bank protection and bamboo pots for reed planting were developed by the Hiikawa Basin Environmental Network and they have been utilised for restoration of the water environment. These characteristics have increased the number of participants and the organisation’s centripetal force and then, raised solidarity in the basin.

Relevant Websites

• Hiigawa Club Website: http://fish.miracle.ne.jp/hiikawa/  (Japanese Only)

References

• Introduction of the Encouragement Prize of The 7th Japan Water Prize
• Hiigawa Club Website

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