BANGKOK, Thailand – The Cabinet has approved the “Forests for Life” project aimed at strengthening the conservation of the country’s intact tropical forest landscapes through systematic, integrated management and community participation.
Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Attapol Charoenchansa stated that the Cabinet endorsed the project titled “Forests for Life – Intact Tropical Forest Landscape Conservation in Thailand” after its presentation by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin.
The project is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) serving as the implementing agency.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Periswiwatana stated that the Cabinet also approved the Project Document and the Operational Partners Agreement, authorizing the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, through the Director-General, to jointly sign with FAO. Non-substantive changes that do not impact national interests may be made without further Cabinet approval.
Relevant agencies confirmed that the agreements do not constitute a treaty under Section 178 of the Constitution and do not create direct financial obligations for Thailand. The initiative aims to reduce forest encroachment, conserve biodiversity, address climate change, strengthen Thailand’s international environmental cooperation, and provide sustainable benefits to communities near forests.
The five-year project will focus on four key landscapes: Doi Inthanon and Omkoi in Chiang Mai, Western Thung Yai Naresuan in Kanchanaburi, and Phanom Dong Rak in Si Sa Ket. It will receive 6.65 million US Dollars from GEF, with in-kind contributions of 81.21 million, for a total budget of approximately 87.86 million US Dollars.
The Director-General emphasized that the Department will accelerate implementation to protect vital forest ecosystems and promote sustainable coexistence between people and nature. (NNT)
