5000 seedlings for ethnic women to restore forests

PanNature field team worked together with the Women Union of Xuan Nha Commune to identify the planting area with 3 hectar in Thin village (Xuan Nha commune, Van Ho district of Son La province). The location was also marked on map (see map photo).

The team also met and discussed with 9 members of Xuan Nha Women Union to plan for reforestation activities. An implementation plan was worked out:

Oct 2019 – Jan. 2020       Prepare seedlings in the nursery, purchase additional trees and fertilizers

Feb. 2020                             Training Xuan Nha WU on establishment of forest plantation with indigenous species

Mar. 2020                            Prepare the planting site

Apr. 2020                             Digging holes and putting basic fertilzers

May 2020                             Planting the seedlings

June 2020                            Replacement planting of dead seedlings

Aug. – Dec. 2020               Tending and protecting the plantation

Note: In the planting area, due to impact of dry wind from Lao side, the most suitable time for tree planting is around May and June each year to ensure sufficient natural water. Early months are too dry for tree planting.

Selected tree species for planting in the nursery in PanNature’s field office:

• 600 seedlings of Michelia mediocris
• 250 seedlings of Canarium tramdenum
• 150 seedlings of Vernicia montana
• 200 seedlings of Ardisia silvestris
• 180 seedlings of Celastrus hindsii
• 180 seedlings of Cleistocalyx operculatus

PanNature has worked with a community near our field office in Van Ho district of Son La province to start up project activities, including:

Site selection

Through consultation with Xuan Nha commune, PanNature decided to work with the Women Union of Thin village to identify a site of 03 hectares in the community forest. This area was cleared for farming before and abandoned for some years.

Thin village has 102 households, including 54 poor households by government’s criteria. Local people rely mainly on farming (rice and cassava) and collection of non-timber products from forests.

Design for forest restoration

PanNature has consulted with local community about selection of tree species for restoration. The composition of trees will include native timber trees and under-canopy trees, which local people can collect products such as leaves, seeds and other products for food and medicines.

The designed density will be around 380 trees per hectare, including 250 timber trees and 130 under-canopy trees as illustrated in the image.

Working with local community

PanNature’s field team will work with local community through the Women Union to prepare land, seedlings, and plantation training. In addition, PanNature also looks for further funding from other sources to expand our support to other communities in Van Ho district.