Social forestry in Thailand

As recently as 1960, almost two-thirds of Thailand was covered by primary forest, but indiscriminate felling has resulted in the loss of over half of this most precious resource.

In 1980 Thailand's Royal Forestry Department, with assistance from UNDP and FAO started a pilot project aimed at restoring Thailand's depleted forests. The idea was to develop a long-term programme to meet farmers’ needs and at the same time restore forest reserves. The answer they arrived at was “Social Forestry” which focuses on people as much as trees.

The 8000 Thais living on 10000 ha near Nakhon Ratchasima on the Khorat Plateau had already destroyed their forest through traditional “slash and burn” agriculture. The government is now determined to break the pattern which is much the same ail over Thailand: trees crops are grown for a few years until the soil is worn out. The farmers then move on to a new forested area where the process begins again.

At first local people were suspicious of Mr Danso (FAO chief technical advisor) and his colleagues. Before, when foresters called it usually meant they would be moved or taxed. The foresters often felt no less hostile to farmers. They saw them as uneducated lawbreakers, cutting trees and spoiling the parks that they were supposed to protect.

Mr Danso and his colleagues first conducted a year-long survey to find out what the settlers of Nakhon Ratchasima wanted and what their needs were. Data was collected on their settlement patterns, their crops and their expectations for the future.

It was found that most wanted to stay on the land and to farm. The survey showed that 60% of the land was suitable for agriculture, so it was decided to provide farmers with new economic opportunities and services that would encourage them to settle down permanently.

The remaining 40% of the land would be reforested to prevent the erosion of steep hillsides and destruction of watersheds, as well as to replenish the national forest.

With survey results in hand, the programme was designed: villages would be formed, trees planted, agriculture improved, roads, schools and health centres built and village councils created to make decisions in co-operation with the Forestry Department.

As the farmers became more involved, Mr Danso and other FAO advisers worked with them in experimenting with new crops, such as cotton, soybeans and peanuts. Beekeeping was introduced to boost income and serve as a diet supplement. Cottage industries - sewing, weaving and furniture making - were established, and low-cost kilns made from focal materials were constructed to burn wood for charcoal more efficiently.

Meanwhile the Forestry Department planted pine, acacia, calliandra and paper mulberry trees on the steepest slopes. In addition, fast-growing eucalyptus trees were planted in and around the forest villages. When villagers saw trees 10 m high after only two years they asked for seedlings. Result: over 3.5 million seedlings were distributed free.

Over 70 km of roads were built, making the marketing of crops easier. 19 small dams were also constructed to provide water during the dry season. The variety of crops, animals and trees insure that work is available in all seasons. Nowadays, if crops are poor of prices low, income from other sources is usually available. 41 farmers trained in beekeeping currently produce 30 tonnes of honey every year from 370 bee colonies. Beekeepers have been so successful that some have saved enough money to buy cattle.

After six years the results are plainly visible. Hillsides are covered with young forests. Villages resemble tree-covered parks. Most houses are surrounded with fruit trees, herbs and gardens. Nearby fields are planted in corn, cassava and cotton. The rougher terrain supports eucalyptus and acacia.

“The Royal Forestry Department has undergone another fundamental transformation” says the Project Director. “Its philosophy has evolved from a tradition of conservation to emphasising sustainable forestry. Without that change it would have been difficult for foresters, who had blamed farmers for cutting trees, to work with them effectively”.

(UNDP World Development, November 1988)

Large-scale deforestation has taken place in Tanzania, with an undocumented loss of forest estimated to be around 300 000 ha per annum. Some parts of Tanzania are already suffering from desertification. Miombo is open canopy, dry woodland particularly characterised by the tree species Julbernardia and Brachystegia, which are prolific nectar producers. Miombo is being cleared rapidly for shifting cultivation, fuelwood, grazing and permanent pasture. To reverse this trend, sustainable use of forest resources must be encouraged. Beekeeping has of course long been a traditional activity in the miombo woodlands of Tanzania, and forest dwelling people are highly skilled in this activity. As a sustainable use of forest resources, beekeeping fits well with TFAP criteria and accordingly appropriate support for beekeeping will be included in the action plan for Tanzania.