Cabinet Approves “Forests for Life” Project with FAO–GEF to Protect Thailand’s Key Tropical Forest Landscapes

The Cabinet has approved the “Forests for Life – Intact Tropical Forest Landscape Conservation in Thailand” project, as proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. 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.
 
According to the Deputy Government Spokesperson, the project aims to protect globally significant tropical forest landscapes through integrated conservation and community participation. It will cover area in three provinces: Chiang Mai, Kanchanaburi and in Si Sa Ket. The project will run for five years.
 
Implementation will consist of five main components which are: Promoting conservation and sustainable forest management through participation from all sectors, Improving the effectiveness of protected area management to safeguard natural forests, Managing natural forest landscapes in buffer zones, Developing financial and investment innovations to scale up conservation activities, including carbon credits and ecotourism and Strengthening cooperation, knowledge management, capacity building, and monitoring and evaluation

The Deputy Government Spokesperson added that the project will strengthen Thailand’s forest conservation system, enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation, reduce forest encroachment, protect biodiversity, support climate change responses, and reinforce Thailand’s role in international environmental efforts, while delivering sustainable benefits to communities surrounding forest areas.