Under construction: Yadoriki Water Source Forest, Fall 2020 やどりき水源林

 

Now we know we have to learn to co-live with COVID-19. Kanagawa Forest Instructors Association has resumed our activity in Yadoriki Water Source Forest やどりき水源林 with new measures. When we guide the forest for visitors, we wear face masks and carry hand sanitizers. We check enough supply of soaps in toilets frequently … Having said that, actually, Yadoriki Water Source Forest is closed for its 4/5 coverage for the rest of the year.

The latest map for Yadoriki Watersource Forest.
 The area enclosed by black arrows are
 the only part we can enter now.

Kanagawa Prefecture decided to utilize this “with-COVID” situation when we are a sort of hesitant to go out. They are doing the civil engineering works to restore forestry roads that were destroyed last year by monster typhoons (; my post on November 1 and 22, 2019). The prefecture is also busy in forestry for the afforested area, especially in the westside of Yadoriki Stream. That was a part devastated by the typhoons last year. They are clearing the broken trees. In addition, the contract foresters are thinning the forest for the “fittest” cedars and cypresses, hoping they become large enough trees to secure the soil against future huge storms.

Restoration work for the embankment of the Open Space.
 I guess, their idea is piling up huge rocks along the bank
 would lessen the damage of flush flood.
 Er … let us see.

So, trucks loaded by rocks are busy commuting
 between the forest and some depot for rocks.

Especially during Monday to Saturday, when you visit Yadoriki Water Source Forest now, you will be greeted by thunderous noise of road constructions, for creation of embankments, and of thinning chainsaws … It’s totally up to you to enjoy the scenery, or not. Yeah. The noise is not non-stop for sure. That’s the difference between the construction works in city center and in deep forest … We forest instructors are a bit sad to find our beloved hazelnuts trees were cut to make a new forestry road. My seniors were also disappointed a pillow lava, which they polished to confirm its crystalized surface due to its formation millions of years ago, was thrown away as a trash … The area where we instructors have been doing the forestry is now inaccessible due to bulldozers. *Sigh*

Where is the polished lava?

The Prefecture plans to end all of these hubbubs by the end of the year. We are waiting now … Anyway, by the time the new forestry roads are ready in Yadoriki Forest, we may have some remedy against COVID-19. Let’s be patient and keep crossing our fingers.

If you find environmental issues in Kanagawa Prefecture, please make a contact with Kanagawa Natural Environment Conservation Center 神奈川県自然環境保全センター

657 Nanasawa, Atsugi City, 243-0121
〒243－0121　厚木市七沢657
Phone: 046-248-0323

You can send an enquiry to them by clicking the bottom line of their homepage at http://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/div/1644/