Bio-diversity

Project location/Targeted Population: Situated in the Indo-Chinese sub region of the bio-unit, the target location represents an integrated part of forest ecosystems and fresh water ecosystems. Target population comprising local Thai and three ethnic minority groups ,i.e. the Kareni , Lahu and Mien , dwell in the vicinity of Jae Sorn National Park and Mae Suk Mae Soi National Forest. Paddy farming, husbandry, cash crop , forest products and general services are sources of income and livelihood. Especially, the Kareni traditional rotating cultivation has preserved more than 50 endemic species. Daily energy ranges from grid electricity, fire-woods, kerosene, and LPG. Since approximately 90 % of target area is mountainous ,with limited cultivated land, target population are not able to secure their income. In addition, under modern day lifestyle, more income is needed to cover the ever-increasing expense. Many end up in debt.Therefore, forest and its provision offer an easy solution.Apart from consuming directly from forest product such as vegetable,mushroom, bamboo shoot, edible animals, etc, wood and other rare species serve as a good source of additional income. Worse does it appears, when indigent surrounding communities participate in usurping the biodiversity in target location. The location has become a feeding ground for many communities dwelling in this ecosystems. Through nursery and regeneration of species that constitutes food, medicine and other forms of human use in forest ecosystems, marginal lands and garden will help increase biodiversity. Man and forest are able to co-exist. In addition, instillation of new generation by using local knowledge will ensure the continuity. All these activities contribute to global environment. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1. Target population of eight villages are direct beneficiaries 2. Khun Soi Watershed Unit, Royal Forestry Department 3. Biology Section, Department of Science, Chiangmai University Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Convening meeting, surveying and compiling resources inventories, training on and building facility for nursery 2.Preparing target population and closely monitoring 3.Compiling curriculum , devising educational media, interacting among groups 4.Compiling list of species, conducting open forum among communities and participatory evaluation Anticipated Results/Immediate Outputs of Project: 1.Compiled list of species in community forest 2. Eight operational nurseries 3. Reforested area @ two acres per communities 4. Regenerated area within at least 50 families in the entire target area 5. Emergence of at least one curriculum per community 6. Emergence of one set of educational media per community 7. One set of dissemination on species list, regeneration and reports on M & E

Thailand