‘Plant for the Planet, Plant for the Future’ in Thailand

Thailand’s ‘Plant for the Planet, Plant for the Future’ campaign was launched on July 19 at the opening ceremony of the Sirindhorn International Environment Park (SIEP). Nearly 300,000 tree species, including beech and mangrove as well as lowland, wetland and highland forest species are expected to be planted in the new 288-hectare park. The park also features a Regional Centre for Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development and a wind power generation system.

The campaign which aims to preserve forests for future generations and promote public awareness of the importance of trees is being held under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme’s Billion Tree Campaign, which began in January 2007.

The UNEP Executive Director said the campaign now has the support of two Royal personalities- Thai Princess HRH Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the SIEP Foundation, said: “The Tree Planting Campaign in Thailand aims to promote the restoration of the natural ecology of the country through forestation, thus moving towards creating an environmentally friendly society where people harmoniously co-exist with nature, and the SIEP is honoured to be involved in this.”

The Plant for the Planet, Plant for the Future campaign in Thailand is jointly organized by the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the Japan-based Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE), the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment-Department of Environmental Quality Promotion and UNEP.