Planting trees for healthy communities
Clear blue skies, tall, leafy trees, and a beautiful landscape are one of the views that we would like to see when we look out the window. Yet striking the right balance between economic development, especially urbanization and construction works, with environmental conservation continues to be a challenge for many countries around the world.
This year’s theme of “Forests and Health” for the International Day of Forests on 21 March 2023 is thus a timely and welcome reminder of the valuable contribution of forests to community well-being.
Thailand, similar to many other countries, has consistently organized tree-planting activities on this occasion to raise awareness on the importance of forests and to promote green spaces amidst rapid urbanization.
Our embassies and consulates-general overseas have also organized tree-planting activities, in collaboration with related agencies, and as part of the Royal Initiative Volunteer Spirit for Community Service Project, or what we call “Jit Arsa” in Thai. This project was established by His Majesty the King to pay tribute to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, for their lifelong contributions to Thailand’s development.
As part of this project, Thai communities overseas have engaged in many activities for public service, which range from cleaning public areas to making donations to community kitchens.
Thai embassies and consulates-general have also organized activities to exchange knowledge and promote collaboration with their host country. Most recently on 17 March 2023, a seminar on “Redesign Sustainable Forestry: The Innovative Forest Management” was held at SCG Headquarters in Bangkok as part of the “Thailand and Sweden Sustainability Week 2023.” This event was co-hosted by the Royal Thai Embassy in Stockholm and the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, in collaboration with SCG, the Thailand and Nordic Countries Innovation Unit, Thailand Management Association, and the Eco-Innovation Foundation. The event demonstrates how public-private-people partnerships are going beyond planting trees to design thinking and sustainable, innovative management, going forward.
On that note, let us continue to promote a community spirit together, and to continue stepping up our activities on forestry for the good health and well-being of our communities.
Happy International Day of Forests 2023!