A Fundamental Study of Forest Conservation Systems and the Attitudes of Forest Owners in Nerima Ward, Tokyo

Abstract

The cooperation of forest owners is the most important factor to consider in attempting to conserve areas of private forest in urban areas. Therefore, it is useful to understand the attitudes of forest owners about forest conservation systems in order to manage the forests effectively. In this study, we analyzed the attitudes of forest owners and forest conservation systems in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, based on a questionnaire survey. The results revealed that the management and maintenance of private forest and the currently high inheritance tax are serious problems for most forest owners. Therefore it is suggested that there is a need to improve the inheritance tax system and to establish a financial program for buying tracts of private forest in urgent cases. 740