Ban Mae Lana, Pang Mapha District, Mae Hong Son Province, is a large Shan community with over 165 households. They are facing environmental challenges that impact their daily lives and future. Although most residents are farmers and seasonal workers, the degradation of forests and natural resources has become a major issue for everyone in the community.
In the past, the forests surrounding the village were abundant and served as natural watersheds that sustained the lives of the community. However, the lack of awareness and understanding of climate change, along with forest burning and unsustainable resource use, has significantly weakened the area’s ecosystem.
Amidst these problems, a small voice of a youth in the community has risen as a beacon of hope for Ban Mae Lana. Chanawee, a 15-year-old boy in Grade 9, not only recognises the importance of the environment but has also stepped up to lead change in his community.
“Last year, we faced floods and landslides during the rainy season and droughts in the summer. Air pollution from forest burning, logging, and chemical use has worsened the quality of life for everyone in the community,“ Chanawee says earnestly. “I think it is time we do something for our future.“
With support from World Vision Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Project, the village youth have come together to initiate activities aimed at forest restoration and raising community awareness. The Reforestation and Check Dam Project were born from the collaboration of children, youth, adults in the community, and local organisations to restore natural resources to their original abundance.
The youth in the village will join forces to plant trees in degraded areas, while the adults build check dams to help store water for agriculture during the dry season. Although the trees planted today are still small, what is visibly growing is hope and a sense of ownership in the hearts of the community members. Chanawee proudly shares, “Now I see everyone in the village starting to realise the importance of forests and conservation. We are beginning to take care of our trees and forests together. I feel proud to be part of this transformation.”
What Chanawee and his friends have initiated not only addresses current environmental issues but also instills a sense of conservation among the next generations. “Even though the problems are not completely resolved today, I believe that in the future, we will have abundant forests, clean air, and sufficient water sources.”
The small voices from Ban Mae Lana have shown that sustainable change begins with the collaboration of everyone in the community, and the youth are the key drivers to ensure this change endures. Today, Ban Mae Lana may be just a small dot on the map, but their voices reflect a tremendous power that can truly make a difference.
