Biodiversity:Forest Ecosystem Conservation
–Forest Ecosystem Conservation Projects–

Various life habitats exist and unique ecosystems are maintained in forests, lakes and ponds, coral reefs, and oceans. If these ecosystems are damaged, the natural environment that is indispensable for maintaining the life of human beings will be harmed. Ricoh places priority particularly on forest ecosystems with rich biodiversity and has been promoting forest ecosystem conservation projects since fiscal 1999 in partnership with environmental NGOs and local communities. Unlike simple afforestation, the main aims of these activities are to protect the habitats of indigenous species and the life of residents, and to establish a system for sustainable forestry management. The projects are financed by the social contribution reserve that Ricoh established to continuously carry out social contribution activities. Provided that approval is gained at the general shareholders’ meeting, 1% of Ricoh’s annual profit after deducting annual dividends is allocated for the reserve (up to ¥0.2 billion). The reserved fund is used for addressing multiple global issues, including global environment conservation and youth-related issues.

Ricoh has been supporting the Afan Forest Project since November 2001. The project, organized by the C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust since its founding in 2002, aims to create forests in which a wide variety of species and humans can maintain harmonious relationships. The trust accordingly conducts ecological surveys and research and conservation activities in a roughly 100,000 square-meter forest in Kurohime, Nagano prefecture. Once degraded, forest ecosystems cannot easily recover—sometimes it requires hundreds of years if left to natural capacities only. It is therefore, important for us to help forests recover from their wounds. Envisioning the woodland 100 years from now, the project has been working to restore the ecosystem in the forest by selecting priority trees and facilitating the natural regeneration process. As a result, the variety and the population of forest inhabitants, including Glirulus japonicas (Japanese Dormouse) and other endangered species, have been increasing at a steady pace.

Go ECO with RICOH image logo

In July 2011, Ricoh began a Mangrove Forest Restoration Project in Kuala Selangor Nature Park (KSNP), a coastal mangrove park located 60 km north of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. “Mangrove” is a general term used to describe a group of trees that grow in coastal areas where freshwater and seawater converge. These forests form a distinctive ecosystem of Malaysia that is rich in biodiversity, with 150 species of birds as well as many species of small animals, fish, amphibians and reptiles. Although the area is designated as a natural park, the preservation of biodiversity has been difficult due to illegal trespassing and lumbering. In fact, the population of mangrove trees has been declining each year. In the first year of the project, Ricoh provided opportunities for environmental education to the local residents to share in recognition of the significance of mangrove ecosystems. We also organized mangrove planting activities in deforested areas. We aim to develop an environment where local residents can lead sustainable mangrove conservation activities with the ultimate goal of having the area designated by the Ramsar Convention, an intergovernmental treaty for wetland conservation. Ricoh (Malaysia) Sdn.Bhd., the local sales subsidiary, supports the project by conducting the “Go ECO with RICOH” program with their customers.