Lamphun community forest wins honours

       Baan Ta Pa Pao community forest in Lamphun has won the "Best National Community Forest" award and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn trophy, as part of the "Love the Forest and the Community" programme of the Royal Forest Department and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding.
       With an area of 13,000 rai, the forest has a rich variety of plants, following 10 years of rehabilitation. The forest also contains over 500 types of easy-to-find herbs and serves as a learning centre for children and academics.
       The fertile forest provides an abundant supply of water to the community, which is delivered via a supply system than runs through the surrounding mountains.
       Baan Ta Pa Pao community forest, which is managed under a three-party collaboration of households, temples and schools, beat other 673 forests listed for the competition.
       There were 190 award-winning community forests, including 64 winners for the "Best Provincial Community Forests" and 120 consolation prizes awarded to other projects.
       "Our focus is to promote participation in all areas, build networks in all segments and promote comprehensive and sustainable reforestation for economic forests, community forests and innovative forest villages" said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti.
       To Noppol Milinthanggoon, president of Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding, the awards are expected to boost the spirits of these communities and encourage them to protect and preserve their natural resources and ensure the fertility and sustainability of their food sources. "As a good corporate citizen, we strive to encourage all communities to protect forest resources in an ongoing manner," he said.