An invitation to tour operators to join in a reforestation project

Global warming is a topic that can no longer be ignored. Governments, businesses, regular citizens, and even tourists from around the world are now searching for ways they can be a part of the solution and minimize their impact on our planet. For years East West Siam has been a leader I responsible tourism and has been doing its part to actively support global conservation initiatives and developing cultural diversity. We believe in working with locals to help them improve their lives, strengthen their community and express their culture; without exploiting the people.

We acknowledge that tourism can have negative effects on the local environment and culture; however, we always do our best to minimize the negative and strengthen the positive aspects. Thus, we present out latest project: Himmapaan – referring to the Thai Ancient Story of mythical forest that can be likened to a Garden of Eden for Buddhists.

Himmapaan Foundation is a non-profit organization completely dedicated to ‘giving back’ to areas affected by tourism. The original project is located in the small village of Baan Kao Ma Ka and Baan Muang Kut. Baan Chang Sub-District, Mae Teang District, Chiang Mai. We plan to reforest three sites to rebuild an entire ecosystem. The purpose will not be to engage in a ritual of planting parallel rows of ‘make-us-feel-good trees’ but the exercise will be set up as a workshop to show how a forest ecosystem can be recreated by planting a careful selection of seedlings of complementing species. The program follows the guidelines developed by Dr Steve Elliot of Chiang Mai University and its aim is to recreate forest structure that will sustain biodiversity recovery. We will be planting native tree species to ensure a low mortality rate as well as to prevent any inadvertent damage to the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

This project will involve support from local community members and tourists. Locals will receive much needed income and essentially reap many of the benefits of a reforested area. Tourists will not only witness that supporting this program is helping the environment and local communities, but they can actively participate in the project themselves by planting seeds at our tree nursery or even planting the trees if they are here at the right time of the year. Guests will even have the option to completely offset their carbon footprint of their flight if they wish. No experience is necessary, since we have locally trained experts to guide you. We encourage people of all ages and ability to participate in this worthy cause.

There is a quote stating “the best time to plant trees was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”. Himmapaan is starting now and we realize this is not a short-lived project, but one that will take many, many years to produce results. We have always believed that long term sustainable tourism is better than short term gains and it is our hope that these successful results will last for generations. Once successful with this project the Himmapaan Foundation plans to expand to other areas affected by tourism such as projects to help sea turtles and coral reefs.

We encourage our guests to visit our supported projects and meet the people involved, whenever and wherever possible. For more information or to provide us with more green ideas please visit: www.himmapaan.com

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