EGAT and Agri-Nature Foundation to improve Thais’ quality of life and increase reforested areas
20 April 2022EGAT and Agri-Nature Foundation signed memorandums of understanding on “Joining Forces to Drive Royal-Initiated Projects” and “Participatory Reforestation Project” to improve the quality of life of Thai people based on the royal philosophy and local wisdom, and to increase reforested areas sustainably.
On April 19, 2022, Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum, Deputy Governor – Strategy of the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) signed two memorandums of understanding on “Joining Forces to Drive Royal-Initiated Projects” and “Participatory Reforestation Project” with Mr. Tripob Kotwongsa, President of the Agri-Nature Foundation. On this occasion, Dr. Wiwat Salyakamthorn, Former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, delivered a keynote speech at Mab Aung Natural Agriculture Center in Ban Bueng District, Chon Buri Province.
Dr. Jiraporn Sirikum said that EGAT put great effort into environment and natural resource restoration, one of the strategies on sustainability. The targeted areas are watershed areas that relate to EGAT’s seven dams named after the members of the Thai royal family and three power plants, namely Vajiralongkorn Dam, Srinagarind Dam, Bhumibol Dam, Sirikit Dam, Sirindhorn Dam, Chulabhorn Dam, Ubol Ratana Dam, Mae Moh Power Plant, Bang Pakong Power Plant, and Wang Noi Power Plant. The project on “Joining Forces to Drive Royal-Initiated Projects” is a cooperation between EGAT and the Agri-Nature Foundation to apply the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy as guidelines for project development and for raising Thai people’s awareness of watershed restoration. The project aims for stopping flood and drought, promoting the local natural agriculture center to be a life-long human development model center, and expanding the Khok Nong Na Model areas to put the concept of King Rama IX’s Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy into practice.
Moreover, EGAT is ready to drive Thailand towards low carbon society by means of its policy on EGAT Carbon Neutrality which includes the Participatory One-Million-Rai Reforestation Project, a long-term project of 10 years from 2022 to 2031. After that, the tree maintenance plan will be executed for nine years. In 2022, EGAT plans to plant trees in various areas, such as headwater forest in Nan, Phrae, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Tak; mangrove forest in Chumphon; and seagrass at Koh Libong in Trang. The Agri-Nature Foundation will support the project with 600,000 seedlings, such as Teak, Padauk, and perennials to promote local tree planting for the benefit of the community, improve capability of carbon dioxide capture, and enhance community participation. The Foundation will also provide training to give knowledge about reforestation theories under the royal idea and natural agriculture principles as well as support voluntary team to monitor and maintain the planted trees.
The two memorandums of understanding will be valid for a period of one year. EGAT and the Agri-Nature Foundation will work together to improve the quality of life of locals, covering economic, social, and environmental dimensions so that they can be self-reliant sustainably.