Charoen Pokphand Group and CP Foods showcased a successful result of the first phase of CPF Rak Nives at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain Project, Lopburi province, a green initiative that help conserve and restore 6,971 Rai (equivalent to about 1,115 Hectare) of watershed forest, bolster food security for communities surrounding the area.
Since 2016,CP Foods in collaboration with the Royal Forest Department and local communities around the Pasak watershed forest to conserve, restore and plant more trees in the areas, which is an important water source of the country.
In the first phase (2016-2020), the company has been able to restore 5,971 rai of green area (equivalent to about 955 Hectare) and is currently in the process of implementing the second phase (2021 – 2025) with plans to restore further 1,000 rai of forest.
In an effort to promote sustainability and food security in the precious forest, CP Group and CP Foods chairman, Soopakij Chearavanont and the executives recently planted 1,000 Wild Champak Trees, and released 100,000 fishes into natural water sources to be crucial food sources and occupation for communities in the future.
CP Foods chief executive Prasit Boondoungprasert said CPF Rak Nives at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain Project is the company’s commitment in conservation and increase the green area of Thailand, as well as to conserve one of the country’s most important watershed forests.
He added that, in the past 5 years, the project has helped to turn the once deserted forests into fertile forests, covering 5,971 rai, and in the second phase (2021-2025) it will conserve and restore 1,000 more rai. The company will continuously monitor the progress of the forest every year and some parts of the forest has been registered for the Thailand Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Reduction Project (T-VER) from the Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. (Public Organization) or TGO.
“CPF operates its business by adhering to the 3-benefits philosophy in order for the company, society, and environment to grow in harmony with each other. This project shows CP Group and CP Foods’ commitment toward the sustainability of the country. The Pasak watershed forest will be a model for forest conservation management in other areas of Thailand and it is also developed as a learning center for government agencies and other private sector to learn from,” said Mr. Prasit.
Surapon Klinpun, Director of Forestation Promotion Office, Forest Resource Management No.5 (Saraburi), said that the area was once a wasteland with rocky and dry landscape, making forest restoration very difficult. However, CP Foods’ forestation project has tremendously transformed the area in the last five to six years.
CP Foods has provided experts to share knowledge on various types of forest planting, leading to tangible outcomes.
“The ecosystem of the area has been changed. The fertility and Biodiversity of the forest was restored. Villagers have food sources. In addition to more green areas, the project also helps create jobs for the surrounding communities and draws the community to participate in the conservation of trees in the project area, from collecting seeds, planting seedlings, removing weeds, etc..” he said, adding that “The Royal Forest Department will use this project as a model for forest restoration. Thank you, CP Foods, for supporting the agency towards the national strategic goal of increasing green areas,”
CPF Rak Nives at Phraya Doen Thong Mountain Project, Lopburi province is a collaboration effort between the Royal Forest Department, communities around Phraya Dern Thong Mountain and CP Foods to increasing biodiversity including building on the conservation and restoration of forests. The green effort also creates food security at the community level by encouraging local farmers to grow safe vegetables for their own consumption and selling at the community market. In addition, the project supports the community to undertake fish breeding and nursery projects, creating new careers and sources of income such as processing fish into fish products, fermented fish, fermented fish for sale, etc./
