Passing Down the Nature of Daisetsuzan National Park to Future Generations
The Daisetsuzan National Park is located in the center of Hokkaido, and is known as the rooftop of Hokkaido. Varying landscapes unfold throughout the Park, such as the deep valleys that have been carved out over a long period of time, the volcanoes that are active even today, the alpine zones with fields of pretty alpine flowers, and more. In the deep forests that stretch across the foothills, there are numerous wild animals, such as higuma (brown bear) and ezonakiusagi (northern pika), which make their home there. To protect this nature and pass it down to future generations, various activities and efforts are being carried out in Daisetsuzan National Park.
Collaborative Operation and Maintenance of Hiking Trails
Along the hiking trails of the Daisetsuzan Mountain Range, problems such as devastation of flora due to trampling by hikers and running water, and erosion/corrosion of the paths are occurring. However, it is difficult to operate and maintain the hiking trails, which total approximately 300 km in length, by means of public organizations alone. Thus, the creation of a system is underway to operate and maintain the hiking trails based on cooperation with various parties such as private organizations, including hiking clubs, and volunteers.
The Daisetsuzan National Park Volunteers
People who cooperate with activities that contribute to the promotion of appropriate protection and use of the National Park, are registered as park volunteers by the Ministry of the Environment. In Daisetsuzan National Park, more than 130 park volunteers participate in activities such as maintenance and repair of hiking trails and signs, alpine butterfly poaching prevention patrols, prevention of intrusion by adventive species, cleaning and the like, which are carried out 40 to 50 times a year.
