Visitors can help plant trees

Meaningful Trips – Greener pastures

THE Mae Taeng Forest Restoration Project is right up the alley of tourists seeking to make Thailand greener and the world cleaner.

Under Himmapaan Foundation’s pilot programme, responsible travellers can play a critical role in restoring forest ecosystems while supporting local Mae Taeng villagers through tourism spend.

Inbound tour operator, East West Siam, established the foundation in January with partners Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU), Thai-based Green World Foundation, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai-based eco lodge and cruise operator Asian Oasis.

East West Siam general manager, Mr Thierry Rodet, said the plan was to rope in tourist support in restoring 11.36 hectares of degraded forest in Mae Taeng district, one of Chiang Mai’s famous tourist sites for elephant rides, whitewater rafting and forest trekking.

In collaboration with FORRU, villagers and local officials, Himmapaan has planted 500 seedlings from 30 species of indigenous trees at Muang Gurt Village.

Mr Rodet said the planting site and nursery would be open year-round. Visitors can also donate, volunteer at the nursery, help plant trees, and collect seeds of indigenous plants when they hike through the countryside.

Carbon offsetting or tree-planting however is only carried out during the planting season in May and June. The rest of the year, tree-planting takes place in the nursery.

The Mae Taeng Forest Restoration initiative has proven popular and timely as concerns over global warming heats up. A Netherlands-based tour operator has included Himmapaan project in its brochure while a German visitor has pledged to donate €5,000 (US$6,815) every year to the project, according to Mr Rodet.

“We have also received enquiries from Thai-based tour operators. Everyone wants to be greener.”

He said the foundation would continue to rehabilitate and protect the habitat in various Thai destinations where “tourism has had a negative impact on the environment and local traditions”. Future projects will range from coral reef protection, and beach and river clean-ups to mangrove and forest restorations. The foundation also intends to enhance the quality of life of local communities by getting them involved in the projects. – Sirima Eamtako TTG

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