Tottori sand dunes weeded to protect wind ripples

July 31, 2017

TOTTORI- Volunteers and other people are joining hands to get rid of weeds at the Tottori Sand Dunes in western Japan to protect the landmark's renowned wind-created ripple patterns, a major tourist attraction. On the early morning of July 15, about 200 people removed weeds in a campaign organized by the Tottori Sand Dunes renewal council, which consists mainly of officials from the Tottori prefectural and city governments. According to Tottori Prefecture 's management office for the dunes, thick weeds reduce the fluidity of the sands and it becomes more difficult for ripple patterns to form on the dunes' surface. Officials are worried that the iconic scenery may be spoiled, discouraging potential visitors. "The sand dunes would fall in value for tourism," a staff member of the management office said. Weeds started to grow at the Tottori Sand Dunes in the early 1970s. Due to the growth of nonnative species such as poorjoe, about half of the sand dunes became grassy in the early 1990. Led by the prefectural government, full-scale weeding efforts started in 1994. "I didn't know that so many weeds grow at the sand dunes," said Yuki Sato, a 20-year-old sophomore at Tottori University , who took part in the volunteer weeding work with friends on July 15. "I'd be glad to help protect the scenery," he said. Held every Saturday and Sunday in principle, the early morning weeding campaign will continue through Sept. 3. Jiji Press