Reaping the rewards of reforestation

Although rapidly growing human populations make continued tropical destruction and the accompanying loss of biodiversity seem inevitable, Hmong hill-tribe villagers in the north of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Thailand are showing that tropical deforestation can be reversed. The Hmong village of Mae Sa Mai was experiencing land and water insecurity due to deforestation. Since 1994, the villagers have worked in collaboration with Chiang Mai University's Forest Restoration Unit (CMU-FORRU) to reforest the land. In the process, they have helped CMU-FORRU to conduct pioneering research into the Framework Species Method of forest restoration. So far, the results are promising. The area now has increased forest cover and wildlife is returning, despite a growing human population. This success has attracted the attention of many, both in Thailand and abroad.