Walailak University Promoted Awareness of Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of the Forest

Walailak university organized a plant genetic conservation project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) to promote awareness of protecting and preserving the nature of Ban Lang Ai Mee, an upstream community in Wang Aang Subdistrict, Cha-uat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province by propagating local vegetation, such as Chok (Avenga pinnata), Pra (Elateriospermum tapos), Tao Rang (Caryota urens), and Pla Lai Pheuk (Eurycoma longifolia) to grow more extensively in a forest so as to absorb water along creeks and agricultural land.  Walailak university has organized annual activities on the 12^th of August (the national Mother’s Day) and the 5^th of December (the national Father’s Day) since 2017 in cooperation with Boarder Patrol Police Learning Center at Ban Lang Ai Mee, Ban Lang Ai Mee community, Khao Pu-Khao Ya National Park, Protected Areas Regional Office 6 Songkla, and leaders of Wang Aang Subdistrict. The University held several career development and training activities incorporating local plants, such as Chok fruits processing, brooms from Chok trees, tie-dyed fabric from Chok fruits, and chili paste from Thammang (Litsea petiolate) leaves. These activities correspond to the plant genetic conservation project under the Royal Initiative run by every border patrol police school. Other activities included natural resources and environmental conservation and students’ career advice by community leaders who could transfer local wisdom to the next generation so as to generate more income for the community and raise people’s awareness of local plants for sustainable use.

References:

• Planting Chok Trees to Increase Locals’ Incomes and Restore the Ecosystem of Pak Panang Upstream Forest Project, 2021.
• Local Plants and Food: the Life of Pak Panang Upstream Forest Community, 2021.

Funding:

• Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn by Walailak University.