Co-Existence with Forest Fires: Linking ForestFires Management to Education for Sustainable Development Goals from Slash and Burn Practice in Kyushu Region, Japan

Forest fires are often attributed to human activity, particularly slash-and-burn practices, as well as climate change, which influences the frequency and severity of fires and has detrimental effects on both humans and the environment. In Japan, the practice known as yakitaha has seen a substantial decline in most areas of the nation after the Second World War, with the exception of the mountainous region of Kyushu. A case study conducted on Itsuki-mura in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shiiba-mura in Miyazaki Prefecture has attracted attention because the preservation and claim of this practice contribute to the potential achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing Bhaskar’s critical realism framework from the 1970s and qualitative research methods, this study identified three distinct levels of reality: empirical, actual, and real. These levels were used to analyze the phenomenon of the yakihata revival in Itsuki-mura, which is a traditional slash- and-burn agricultural practice historically used in Japan’s mountainous regions. This practice is experiencing a revival due to its potential contribution to sustainable development. In contrast, the practice of yakihata in Shiiba-mura not only persisted but also gained recognition as an important agricultural heritage system by the FAO. Furthermore, the discovery demonstrates the impact of the erroneous belief in the fire paradigm perpetuated by the media and the educational system. This initiative is a practical endeavor to rectify the situation by including teaching in both official and informal venues, including museums. This study explores the role of traditional slash-and-burn practices, known locally as yakihata, in forest fire management and their potential contributions to education for sustainable development (ESD) as a method to demonstrate the interconnectedness of the environment, society, and economy in educational lessons by revitalizing traditional practices and knowledge within local communities and cultures. This approach aims to ensure the long-term viability and adaptability of agricultural and ecological systems.