Muaklek Nai: From firebreaks to a green economy, and the Muaklek Nai Nature Camp, 2-4 May
Ban Muaklek Nai and Khlong Rabad community forests in Saraburi Province are building on their firebreak work by developing ecotourism and a system for sharing income with the community’s own forest management fund. They are also holding the Muaklek Nai Nature Camp on 2-4 May B.E. 2569, opening the forest to families and children aged 7-12 to learn about nature.
Translated from Thai · reviewed by the CF team
When the forest is everyone’s bank and asset
The community’s shared approach, supported by the Project, is to ensure the forest survives sustainably through the idea of a Nature-Positive Economy, or “creating an economy that is positive for nature”. If the community can successfully develop ecotourism, no-burn agriculture, agroforestry and agroecology, such as fael cultivation and planting tea and coffee under large trees, or manage forest carbon credits, it will have a stable and lasting source of income. The need to burn the forest to collect forest products or expand agricultural land will gradually disappear on its own.
Muaklek Nai and Khlong Rabad community forests are tangible examples. Alongside their firebreak work, the communities are moving forward with developing nature trails, installing interpretive signs and organising trips for a range of target groups. They have also established a clear system for sharing income with their own community forest management fund. This gives the communities the budget to manage, care for and restore the forest themselves. Importantly, it also creates more opportunities for young people in the communities to play a role in forest issues.
Muaklek Nai Nature Camp: Exploring the community forest with your family
From 2-4 May B.E. 2569, Ban Muaklek Nai Community Forest, together with the Forest Guardians network, ChangeFusion and partner networks, will hold the “Muaklek Nai Nature Camp” in Mittraphap Subdistrict, Muaklek District, Saraburi Province. The camp welcomes families with children aged 7-12 to learn about nature through activities including cave exploration, searching for pheasants and wildlife tracks. The team of facilitators includes the Hun Loka Group, the Ban Sop Yuk Group, the Ban Muaklek Nai Community Forest team and a wildlife photographer who communicates about conservation. This is another way for city residents to experience learning about nature together with their children and families.