Initiative 
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Sanctuaries Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan
This Sanctuary is located in the water-source conservation area of Takasago Plant operated by Suntory Products Ltd.
This page explains the initiatives of our Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan.
- Agreement start date
- December 2010
- Area
- About 1,056 ha
- Applicable plant
- Takasago Plant, Suntory Products Ltd.
Protecting Plants from Deer Damage
In recent years, the growing deer population across Japan has caused widespread foraging pressure, where grasses and tree bark are completely eaten away. The same damage has been observed here in our Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan.
The photo below shows an area that had been planted before Suntory entered into the current forest management agreement. To protect young trees from deer, each seedling was wrapped individually with protective tubular netting. However, wind loosened some of the tubes, which deer then pulled off and consumed the seedlings.
To prevent further deer intrusion, a protective fence was installed around the entire planted area. Several years later, seeds carried in by wind and birds began to sprout, and today the forest is returning with a rich diversity of broadleaf trees.
Experts involved in this Initiative
Tamotsu Hattori
Emeritus Professor, University of Hyogo
Fostering Rich Soil through Thinning
In some areas of our Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan, coniferous trees had been so densely planted that they blocked sunlight from reaching the forest floor. This made it difficult for ground vegetation to grow and provide essential protection for the soil.
To address this, thinning of narrow-diameter and crooked trees was carried out. By laying the thinned trees along slope contour lines, soil erosion is prevented and seeds of broadleaf trees and grasses are more likely to settle and grow.
About 8 years after 2 rounds of thinning, mid- and low-level vegetation began to flourish, and the soil is starting to regenerate.
Experts involved in this Initiative
Tamotsu Hattori
Emeritus Professor, University of Hyogo
Employee Hands-On Forestry Trainings in Natural Water Sanctuaries
Suntory Group conducts hands-on forestry training for all employees. Our Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan serves as the training site for employees in Western Japan.
In this forest, there are areas where konara and sawtooth oaks have grown tall. However, evergreen shrubs subsequently invaded these areas, making the forest floor darker. During training, employees work to clear out these evergreens, helping restore light-filled forests where grasses and deciduous shrubs can thrive.
Sanctuary Details
- Location
- Monryu, Kurodasho Town, Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture
- Area
- About 1,056 ha
- Agreement date
- December 2010
- Agreement period
- 30 years
Under Hyogo Prefecture’s New Hyogo Forest Development program, Suntory signed a basic agreement with Hyogo Prefecture, Nishiwaki City, and the Hyogo Afforestation Promotion Association. Subsequently, individual agreements were concluded with multiple local landowners, primarily in the Monryusan Forest Conservation Association & Production Forestry Cooperative
Our Natural Water Sanctuary Hyogo Nishiwaki-Monryusan was certified in 2023 as an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECM)*.
*These are areas recognized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment as regions where biodiversity conservation is being effectively promoted through private sector efforts.
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