The Royal Thai Army (RTA) probably expected to receive kudos from environmentalists and the public in general for its reforestation mission. It did not.
The RTA recently posted on its Facebook page explaining the use of a helicopter to airdrop seeds of several plant species into Salween National Park in Mae Hong Son province as part of its airborne reforestation programme. It said border troops are also helping to reforest degraded areas when on patrol missions.
There is nothing wrong with the army's airborne reforestation, as all sectors of society should play a role in protecting and replenishing the country's resources. In this case forest cover was lost due to illegal logging as well as large-scale cultivation of cash crops such as maize to meet the demands of agribusiness.
However, this otherwise noble reforestation programme has irked environmentalists and others, as the recently airdropped seeds included the highly invasive plant species Leucaena leucocephala (krathin yak).
Dr Vichien Kiratinitjakarn of the Faculty of Agriculture of Kasetsart University said krathin yak is a fast-growing invasive alien plant species which will destroy other plant species and eventually threaten the ecological system of natural forests. Moreover, the species has little commercial value except for conversion into charcoal.
A native of Central America, the species was introduced into Thailand about five decades ago by the Forest Department ostensibly for reforestation and land improvement. Between 1972 and 1994, the Forest Department grew krathin yak in upwards of 107,000 rai of degraded land.
The army says it received its krathin yak seeds from the Forest Department. Yet apparently the department didn't advise the army about any harmful effects to forest diversity this invasive species can cause -- a plant some environmentalists have branded a "monster".
And this despite the department's multiple roles in managing, developing and utilising forest land. Damrong Pidet, former director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, suggested that krathin yak should be grown in denuded mountainous areas, not in national parks.
Either way, the army should suspend its dispersal of krathin yak seeds. It should continue with efforts to replenish lost forest cover -- but next time after more consultation with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation as well as outside experts.
Reforestation is not just a matter of planting trees and leaving nature to do the rest. Actions must be undertaken carefully. They should also occur in tandem with a determination to protect existing forest land from illegal logging and uncontrolled, unsustainable cultivation.
For reforestation to be successful, it also needs public participation and especially within rural communities where residents should benefit directly from their efforts. Indeed the goal of reforestation is not only to expand forest cover but to provide mutual benefits and promote co-existence between nature and humans.
The process requires proper management of areas to be reforested, including identifying suitable species to be grown and assigning knowledgeable people to do the work.
And crucially, the endeavour needs adequate funding from the government, not merely leftover budget. A successful reforestation programme requires the kind of care we might give to our own garden, but here the fruits of labour are for all.