Unfortunately throughout North-Eastern Thailand large areas of woodland are being cleared to make way for extra agricultural land despite the forest rangers best efforts. Part of the problem lies in very dated land registration deeds and land disputes are all too common place. If a family believes they have a legal claim to piece of land they also believe they have the right to clear it in a bid to create extra farming land and scrape an extra income. Visions of the photo to the left are becoming a familiar sight.
The Fernthai Volunteer Foundation has a strong link with the local forest rangers commission "bpaa-mai". Not only do we offer them free English education which gives them the confidence when it comes to enticing much needed tourism into the area, but we also have the opportunity alongside the rangers to go into the local schools and better educate tomorrows generation about the problems this kind of deforestation causes. Bpaa-mai will also be our guides and escorts when we take weekend breaks and head into the National Parks on overnight campsites to take in some of the areas outstanding natural beauty, waterfalls and of course the mighty Mekong River.
On occasion if time and funds allow we, along with the entire community, undertake projects whereby large numbers of nursery trees and plants are replanted throughout the region in a bit to combat some of this deforestation. This can be an expensive venture and will only take place when the seasonal conditions are correct to do so.