| Type of Project |
: |
Donation of Materials/Funds |
| Field |
: |
Agriculture/Forestry/Fisheries |
| Municipality Name |
: |
Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture |
| Cooperation Beneficiary |
: |
Chengde City, Heibei Province, China |
- Purpose:
-
In 1993, the year when the contents of the project for the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Kashiwa City and Chengde City were being considered, problems concerning the global environment were growing more severe. Moreover, the loss of forests in China itself as a result of logging and pasturing had become worrisome, and reforestation activities were increasingly conducted across China. Against this background, it was decided to cooperate with the reforestation activities of Chengde City as a commemorative project and create a "friendship forest."
In addition, following completion of the "friendship forest," the two cities studied the contents of a project for further cooperation on afforestation, and decided to create a Japan-Kashiwa botanical garden.
- Creation of a "Friendship Forest"
Outline:
- The mountain behind Potala Palace, one of the temples designated as a World Cultural Heritage, was afforested to create a forest symbolizing the friendship between Kashiwa and Chengde. Initially, 25.3 hectares were planted on the 10th anniversary of the friendship agreement between the two cities, with an additional 74.7 hectares planted by the 15th anniversary of the friendship agreement, bringing the total afforested area to 100 hectares. (Implementation schedule: Initial portion from 1993 to 1995, expanded portion from 1996 to 1998)
- Project Description:
- The trees that were planted were Chinese red pines, apricot trees, oriental arborvitae, false (black) acacia, willows, and others, totaling 263,000 trees. In addition, roadways extending 1,500 meters, a parking area of 500 square meters, and steps measuring 100 meters going up the side of the mountain were built.
- Cooperation with Other Groups:Chiba Prefecture
-
At the time of the preliminary local survey, specialists went to provide advice on the planting of the friendship forest.
- Costs:
-
The cost was shared between Kashiwa and Chengde. Two million yen was granted by Kashiwa City for the initial portion on the 10th anniversary and four million yen was granted by the Kashiwa City Greenery Foundation for the expanded portion.
- Difficulties and Solutions:
- Although planting Japanese saplings was considered, tree varieties that would easily take root in the local natural environment which has a very small amount of precipitation could not be found. Thus, it was decided that all saplings would be procured locally.
- Creation of Japan-Kashiwa Botanical Garden
Outline:
- A Japanese botanical garden will be built in one part of the Chengde Botanical Garden (approx. 103 hectares) planned in Chengde City. Two city officials went to Chengde in October 1999 to survey the proposed site, hold detailed discussions about the project and sign a creation agreement. (Implementation schedule: 1999 to 2002) The construction of the garden was completed in 2002
- Project Description:
- The tree varieties to be planted are cherry trees (locally grown) and sasanqua (from Japan). Main and auxiliary roads, an entrance, monument and arbor will be built and benches will be provided in the garden.
- Costs:
-
One million yen will be granted each year to cover part of the costs from 1999 to 2002, for a total of four million yen (by the Kashiwa City Greenery Foundation).
- Difficulties and Solutions:
-
Although sending cherry trees from Japan was considered, in China the import of these trees is prohibited, so cherry trees locally grown will be used.
- Responsible Section:
-
International Relations Office of Kashiwa City
- Department in charge:
-
| Tel: |
0471-67-0941 |
| Fax: |
0471-66-8289 |
- Completion Date:
-
August 2002
|
