The Kirikuchi char is a rare freshwater fish with populations occurring in only two water systems of Totsukawa, Nara Prefecture. Hillside collapse from forestry erosion is causing the disappearance of river environments such as deep pools and rapids, where this fish occurs. Man-made pools were successfully created by a traditional engineering method using forest thinnings under the Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund. In light of this achievement, this initiative will undertake the same engineering work at the other location at Tenkawa in Nara Prefecture where the Kirikuchi char occurs, which has seen considerable degradation of its water environments. It will also implement assessment and verification of the existing man-made pools.