Academics joined the discussion with the community forest network, at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai |
Network of Security: Community Forest Groups Discuss Emerging Challenges and the Way Forward
6 – 8 February 2009, Chiang Mai – The looming economic crisis, food security, and the emerging challenge of accessing carbon markets were among the topics discussed at this year’s gathering of the network of 49 community forest groups, formed under the EC-UNDP Small Grants Programme (2002-2007).
Hosted by the Hmong Community Forest Network in the far northern part of Thailand, the event was held under the theme of “Sufficiency Livelihoods based on Local Biodiversity Resources,” at Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai. Over 50 representatives of community forest groups, from as far as Pattani in the South to Mae Hong Son in the North, participated in the event, bringing along their local food and other specialties.
Although the funding from the EC-UNDP Small Grants Programme ended in 2007, the network has stayed in touch and organize a get-together every year to share their experiences and approaches in their struggle to retain their rights to manage their natural resource base against the challenges of large-scale public and private development projects.
The group also discussed different financial options for continuing their work as a network and the way forward in strengthening their cooperation in a more formalized manner, while maintaining the flexible nature of a network. UNDP considers working with this network a good opportunity to demonstrate how environmental issues can be mainstreamed in development planning at all levels.
Community forests do not yet have legal status in Thailand, even though community-managed forests have long been a way of life for various communities across the country.
The Community Forest Bill, which was a result of over 10 years of deliberation, did not pass into an act in 2007.
For more information, please contact:
Mark S. Cogan, Communications Officer, UNDP Thailand, office: 02 288 1887, cell: 087 972 7435, email: mark.cogan@undp.org
