Community Forest Expansion

Description

This project will expand the income‑generating potential of a community forest by establishing a new fruit tree orchard and upgrading its water system. It will support the installation of pipes for a drip irrigation system and the repair of the water retention pond so that forest plants receive sufficient water during the dry season. A tree plantation will take place during the monsoon period, with 2,000 saplings of lychee, jackfruit, mango and lemon planted to provide future earnings for the local user group and the surrounding community.

This effort will strengthen the community by creating a secondary source of income and offering training on fruit tree planting, care and maintenance. As many residents leave rural areas for work in larger cities or abroad, interest in forest activities is declining. Increasing the forest’s ability to generate income will help support local livelihoods and renew community commitment to caring for the land. The added earnings will fund ongoing maintenance, care and future projects within the forest.

As part of the project, 25 members will participate in a two‑day training on fruit tree health assessment, learning to identify signs of stress caused by pests, water levels, sun exposure, or soil nutrient issues. They will also learn pruning, grafting and air‑layering techniques. These members will be responsible for understanding the material and sharing their new knowledge with the wider community.