Japan's Forest Office Battles Bears with Buffer Zones

The Tohoku Regional Forest Office is implementing a national strategy to create buffer zones, aiming to separate wildlife from residential areas. This initiative involves clearing underbrush and selectively removing trees, with work ongoing in Daisen, Akita Prefecture. Volunteers participated in clearing grass in a hot spring facility's vicinity.

These buffer zones enhance visibility, helping to prevent bears from entering human-populated areas. Despite the benefits, the office faces constraints due to limited personnel and budget, managing to address only about twenty percent of the requests received from local governments across five prefectures. The goal is to protect homes and public facilities, thereby preventing human-bear conflicts.