Understanding the Current Situation and Process of Unauthorized Logging in the Southern Kyushu Region of Japan

Abstract

南九州地方における無断伐採(盗伐と誤伐)の発生状況を明らかにするため，無断伐採被害の報告のある自治体に居住する 森林所有者(502 名)を対象に，2020 年にアンケート調査を実施し，161 名(32％)の有効回答を得た。所有者の 7％が無断伐 採の被害経験があると回答し，12％が被害の有無を把握していなかった。所有者を被害あり，被害なし，被害の有無不明に分 類し比較した結果，被害ありと被害なしの所有者の所有林に対する認知度は同程度であったが，登記がなされていない森林が 被害を受けやすい可能性が示唆された。被害の有無不明の所有者は所有林の認知度が低かった。無断伐採被害者への聞き取り 調査から，無届伐採，隣接地からの侵入および伐採届の偽造といった伐採届の不正使用が認められたことから，伐採届提出後 の現地確認が必要であると考えられた。所有者の認知度が低い森林において，さらなる無断伐採の発生が懸念される。 キーワード：森林犯罪，盗伐，伐採届，森林所有者，私有林 Nariaki Onda, ＊ ， 1 Nobuyuki Tsuzuki 2 (2022) Understanding the Current Situation and Process of Unauthorized Logging in the Southern Kyushu Region of Japan. J Jpn For Soc 104: 92-98 This study elucidated the occurrence and process of unauthorized logging in the southern Kyushu region of Japan. In 2020, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 502 forest owners living in a municipality that reported unauthorized logging, and 161 responses (32％) were received. Results from the survey revealed that 7％ of owners sustained damages from unauthorized logging, whereas 12％ of owners were unaware of any damages that had occurred. The results from classifying and comparing the damages caused by unauthorized logging into three categories, including damaged owners, non-damaged owners, and non-cognitive owners, indicated no differences in the cadastral survey progress between damaged and non-damaged forestland. However, it was suggested that unregistered forests might be vulnerable to damage. Owners unaware of the damage were less aware of the forest area they owned. Further, interviews with seven victims of unauthorized logging confirmed that the malpractices of unauthorized logging included unreported logging, boundary invasion, and forging the logging notification. Confirming the submitted logging notification on-site was deemed necessary to resolve the issue of forging notifications. Therefore, this study raises concerns about the spread of unauthorized logging in forests where owner awareness is low.