Forest Restoration PES Project

This project, based in Ban Mae Sa Noi, Chiang Mai, addresses the long-term need for sustainable forest and community development. Despite receiving short-term forest fire prevention funding, the area lacks integrated, systematic solutions. The project proposes a four-part plan: 1) Forest Restoration – Rehabilitating degraded pine forests by planting native species along old firebreaks to form natural fire barriers. 2) Sustainable Agriculture – Transitioning from high-impact crops (e.g., cabbage) to sustainable, high-value alternatives like herbs and greenhouse-grown vegetables, with a share of income (10%) contributing to an environmental management fund. 3) Ecotourism – Developing nature-based tourism focused on forest restoration, involving local guides and educational trails, with revenue also supporting the community’s forest fund. 4) Scholarships – Offering educational and career development support to local youth to build future community leaders and promote sustainable livelihoods aligned with forest conservation. This integrated approach aims to build a self-reliant, environmentally responsible, and economically resilient community.

Forest fires account for a significant proportion—65%—of all burned areas in Thailand over the past decade (2010–2020), and they remain a major contributor to PM2.5 air pollution. In northern Thailand, these fires are often human-induced, as local communities burn forest areas to collect forest products or clear land for farming—activities rooted in traditional practices. However, this is often driven by necessity: many locals have limited livelihood options and rely on forest burning as a means of survival. To effectively prevent forest fires and restore damaged ecosystems, it is essential to promote community-based forest stewardship. Many communities living in protected or conservation forest areas are well-positioned to serve as active partners in forest protection and restoration. However, these communities often lack critical resources—such as funding, tools for creating firebreaks, and materials for reforestation and ecosystem conservation (e.g., biodiversity enhancement, water retention, and soil erosion prevention). Strengthening their capacity through targeted support would be key to reducing fire risks and building long-term environmental resilience.

The project aims to reduce the community’s dependence on traditional forest-burning practices by supporting the development of alternative, sustainable livelihood options, which include ecotourism initiatives that leverage the community’s unique environmental assets, as well as modern, climate-resilient agricultural practices that minimize land degradation. By creating new income streams, these economic alternatives help alleviate the need for harmful forest use, while simultaneously generating revenue that can be reinvested into long-term community-led forest management.

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: 710,000.00

To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

8.9 By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products

To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed

Goal 15: Life on Land

15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development

15.a Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems


Local community members (tourism)
บ้านแม่สาน้อย community members who are engaged in tourism activities บ้านแม่สาน้อย holds strong potential to develop regenerative tourism by leveraging its pristine forest landscape. However, community members still require capacity building to effectively implement and manage such initiatives.
Survey landscape for trail route development	Trail routes developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism No. of trail routes developed Survey landscape for trail route development	Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism (Recheck Local Alike) reforestation, zero waste To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Trail routes developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism
Capacity building, e.g. costing, service standard, etc.	Able to operate tour activities Able to launch pilot trips Capacity building, e.g. costing, service standard, etc.	Increase in income Increase in household income Baht Baht To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Able to operate tour activities
Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management	Community enterprise for tourism established Official registration of community enterprise Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management	Increase in income of the community enterprise Revenue of community enterprise Baht Baht To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed Able to operate tour activities Community enterprise for tourism established Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund Amount of forest management fund contributed from community enterprise Baht Baht To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed Community enterprise for tourism established

Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation
The Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is the key gatekeeper in approving tourism activities conducted within national parks Strict enforcement of national park laws—such as blanket bans on all activities—can create tensions between the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and local communities, especially when traditional livelihoods are affected. A more collaborative approach, supported by effective communication and partners like ไทยรักษ์ป่า, can help ease conflicts and foster mutual understanding. With limited staff and vast areas to manage, the Department could also benefit from engaging local communities as partners in forest protection, tapping into their local knowledge and presence to strengthen conservation efforts.

Engage in trail route design and approval process with a more collaborative approach	Reduce conflicts with the local community Community able to access national park area and conduct activities within Engage in trail route design and approval process with a more collaborative approach	Able to generate additional income from tourism activities conducted within national parks Monthly income from tourism activities that goes to the department Baht Baht To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Trail routes developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism Able to operate tour activities Reduce conflicts with the local community Effective engagement of local community in supporting forest management Forest fire management and conservation activities conducted by the community To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Reduce conflicts with the local community

Travelers
Thai and international travelers interested in ecotourism activities. The number of visitors that communities can host will depend on the area’s ecological carrying capacity. Although ecotourism has started to gain traction in Thailand, understanding of what constitutes true ecotourism (i.e., low impact, conservation-focused, community-benefiting travel) is still shallow among the broader public. Education may be necessary to ensure travelers respect cultural norms and environmental rules (e.g., no littering, no off-trail hiking), understand the impact of their visit, and contribute meaningfully to the area they visit.

Engage in ecotourism activities offered by the local community (orientation, community storytelling, guided walk, etc.)	Increase in awareness of forest conservation No. of travelers visiting the community คน คน Engage in ecotourism activities offered by the local community (orientation, community storytelling, guided walk, etc.)	Inspired travelers can become ambassadors, helping to promote both the community’s tour offerings and the broader concept of ecotourism. To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Trail routes developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism Increase in awareness of forest conservation

Local community members (forest restoration)
Local community members engaged in forest restoration activities, i.e. tree planting for forest fire barrier. บ้านแม่สาน้อย has a long-term plan to establish forest fire barriers by planting trees at strategic locations, covering a total of XX kilometers. However, the community currently lacks sufficient resources and funding to implement the plan.

Plant trees to create forest fire barriers	Forest fire barriers established Length and width of forest fire barrier created Plant trees to create forest fire barriers	Effective prevention of the spread of forest fire and minimize loss Reduction of burn scar Forest fire barriers established

Local community members (alternative agriculture)
At present, most farmers in the community grow cabbage, which requires extensive land and relies heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Three households are planning to transition to more sustainable agricultural practices, such as pig farming, setting up botanical gardens, and growing medicinal herbs. Cabbage and other monocrop farming require large land areas and heavy chemical use, leading to soil degradation, while generating low market value. In contrast, alternative agriculture enhances land use efficiency and increases the value of produce, offering higher income and improved livelihoods for farmers.

Shift from chemical intensive monoculture to more productive, higher value alternative agriculture that requires less land and chemicals, e.g. pig farming, botanical garden, medicinal herbs	Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture No. of households switching to new agriculture activities Shift from chemical intensive monoculture to more productive, higher value alternative agriculture that requires less land and chemicals, e.g. pig farming, botanical garden, medicinal herbs	Increase in income Increase in household income Baht Baht To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture More land space freed up for reforestation Additional land area used for reforestation activities rai rai To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture Less post-harvest burning in the area associated with cabbage plantation Reduce in burn scar To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture
Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management	Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established Official registration of community enterprise Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management	Increase in income of the community enterprise Revenue of community enterprise To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund Amount of forest management fund contributed from community enterprise Baht Baht To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established

Youths in the local community
Local youths, whether with limited education or recent graduates, often leave the community to seek employment elsewhere due to a lack of local economic opportunities. The absence of new generation poses challenge to the community's long term development especially in terms of forest restoration. Youth from extremely poor households lack the resources to pursue further education, while those who manage to complete high school or university face limited employment opportunities within the community.

Scholarships for primary and secondary education and hands-on vocational training in tourism and agriculture	Youth receive sufficient education to be employed and have skills to work in tourism and agriculture in the area. No. of youths receiving scholarship คน คน Scholarships for primary and secondary education and hands-on vocational training in tourism and agriculture	More youths choose to pursue employment in their community No. of youths who decide to pursue employment at the community คน คน To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources. Community enterprise for tourism established Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established Youth receive sufficient education to be employed and have skills to work in tourism and agriculture in the area.

Forest Restoration PES Project

To foster sustainable economic development in local communities through alternative employment that diversifies income sources and mitigates pressure on forest resources.

To establish sustainable funding mechanisms for PES by leveraging the new economic activities developed

Local community members (tourism)

Survey landscape for trail route development

Trail routes developed based on the concept of regenerative tourism

Positive environmental impacts derived from regenerative tourism

Capacity building, e.g. costing, service standard, etc.

Able to operate tour activities

Increase in income

Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management

Community enterprise for tourism established

Increase in income of the community enterprise

Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund

Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Engage in trail route design and approval process with a more collaborative approach

Reduce conflicts with the local community

Able to generate additional income from tourism activities conducted within national parks

Effective engagement of local community in supporting forest management

Travelers

Engage in ecotourism activities offered by the local community (orientation, community storytelling, guided walk, etc.)

Increase in awareness of forest conservation

Inspired travelers can become ambassadors, helping to promote both the community’s tour offerings and the broader concept of ecotourism.

Local community members (forest restoration)

Plant trees to create forest fire barriers

Forest fire barriers established

Effective prevention of the spread of forest fire and minimize loss

Local community members (alternative agriculture)

Shift from chemical intensive monoculture to more productive, higher value alternative agriculture that requires less land and chemicals, e.g. pig farming, botanical garden, medicinal herbs

Farmers households switching from cabbage farming to new alternative agriculture

Increase in income

More land space freed up for reforestation

Less post-harvest burning in the area associated with cabbage plantation

Set up a community enterprise with a revenue model that channels funding toward sustainable forest management

Community enterprise for sustainable agriculture established

Increase in income of the community enterprise

Community enterprise contributes to forest management fund

Youths in the local community

Scholarships for primary and secondary education and hands-on vocational training in tourism and agriculture

Youth receive sufficient education to be employed and have skills to work in tourism and agriculture in the area.

More youths choose to pursue employment in their community