MNRE Welcomes Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to Inspect the Royal-Initiated Huay Lan Area Development Project in Chiang Mai

On February 29, 2024, at 09.00 a.m., Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the Royal-Initiated Huay Lan Area Development Project in Chiang Mai. She listened to a report on the project's progress and released five species of Thai fish, totaling 69 individuals, into the Huay Lan reservoir. These species included the Giant Barb, White Barb, Gold Barb, White-edge freshwater whipray, and Black-ear catfish, in the presence of Mr. Charanthada Karnasuta, Privy Councilor, Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, MNRE executives, and related agencies.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, through the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Royal Forest Department, and Department of Water Resources, has collaboratively undertaken the Royal-Initiated Huay Lan area development project in four main areas:

1. Conservation and Restoration of Natural Resources: Efforts include the rehabilitation of 6,013 rai of degraded upstream forests, planting of bamboo forests, controlling and preventing forest fires both in and around the project area covering 31,284 rai, addressing residential and agricultural activities in national reserved forests through community forest establishment in 7 villages covering 1,106-3-04 rai, and establishing community forests in 5 villages covering 1,053-2-63 rai.

2. Water Source Development: Maintenance and care of 4 reservoirs, including the Huay Lan, Huay Pa Rai, Doi Ton, and Mae Pha Nae reservoirs.

3. Education and Research: Serving as sites for forestry and wildlife research, such as the conservation of the Rak tree and traditional rubber tapping wisdom, inspired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in Chiang Mai.

4. Quality of Life Development and Community Participation: Promoting and developing non-agricultural occupations for locals, such as herbal medicine, weaving groups, and basketry, supporting conservation-based tourism in 11 villages of On Tai sub-district, promoting a village network for forest protection and environmental conservation, and enhancing cooperation in wildfire control across five villages.