Project News

The Project has been implementing reforestation activities since 2012, and this year (2015) will be the last one. So far, accumulated reforestation area is 465 ha (2012-2014), including 83 ha in 2012, 167 ha in 2013, and 215 ha in 2014 (Fig.1).

In 2015, approximately 360,000 seedlings will be delivered to 42 villages with the area of 216 ha. Reforestation planning started with discussion of a reforestation plan in each village, followed by the preparatory survey by a local consultant team. Main reforestation species are Acacia mangium and Manglietia conifera for low-altitude areas including initial pilot sites^[1] and Muong Muon Commune and Schima wallichii and Pinus masoniana for a high-altitude area including Muong Phang Commune. A. mangium is a fast-growing species, which can survive on infertile soil thanks to its nitrogen fixing ability^[2]. As Muong Phang Commune is located at higher altitude (952 – 1562 m) than other sites, cold-tolerant species such as S. wallichii and P. masoniana have been selected for reforestation. Both are pioneer species^[3] so that they grow well on bare land and farm land.

Before planting seedlings, villagers took a training course on reforestation. Planting will start from the end of May, followed by field monitoring. The estimated survival rate of the seedlings was 60-70% on average last year.

Even though reforestation area has been increasing, the planned size of reforestation area in 2015 is almost the same as the previous year, which indicates that space for reforestation is limited. In order to increase forest cover, some cultivation areas should be converted into forest, which is extremely challenging. Provision of enough incentives to villagers is necessary.

Fig. 1. Change in reforestation area. Blue bars indicate actual value while a white bar surrounded by blue line does planned value for each year. Red line shows cumulative figures.

A. mangium trees planted by the Project in 2012.

A staff from a forest management board giving a lecture on tree planting to villagers (Co Liu Village).

Training in the field on tree planting techniques (Co Man Village).