Bangkok--23 May--Azaim Burson-Marsteller The Royal Forest Department in partnership with Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL (RATCH) kicked off the Love the Forest and the Community program which is designed to promote tangible protection of forests and create solid communities. Mrs. Anongwan Thepsuthin, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment presided over the Love the Forest and the Community program launch ceremony and said that forest resources are important as they are the foundation of economic, social and environmental health of the country. Thus, decreasing or damaging of forests brought problems including shortages of community food, lower water resources for agricultural and industrial sectors, and increasing global warming which is related to natural disasters. “The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment is responsible for the policy to solve the problem of forests and has asked all related parties, particularly the Royal Forest Department, to take care of the forests and encourage reforestation. The objective is to increase forests by 128 million Rai or 40% of country’s area,” added Mrs. Anongwan. The Love the Forest and the Community program is a program that was created and implemented by the Royal Forest Department and RATCH. The initiative is designed to protect natural resources in the area of community forests. This marks the first partnership between the Royal Forest Department and a private organization to drive and develop well-managed community forests that are highly beneficial to the community in accordance with the sufficiency economy philosophy. “This program is a major collaboration between the private and public sectors to boost the awareness and behavior regarding protection of forests and the environment in a tangible manner and in line with HM the King’s and HM the Queen’s intentions and concerns about the country’s environment and forest protection, encouraging all of the people to be aware of the importance of forests,” added Mrs. Anongwan. Mr. Somchai Piensathaporn, Director-General of the Royal Forest Department said, “We have partnered with RATCH to launch the Love the Forest and the Community program. The initiative is a key driver for the application of HM the King’s and HM the Queen’s ideas on forest development for the ultimate benefit of the community, strengthening the communities while building a network of communities for efficient management of community forests.” Love the Forest and the Community will hold the model community forest contest. This unique activity is open to all community forests nationwide. Its goal is to find out the best community forest that has systematic plans, mechanisms and procedures to protect and develop solid forestry through strong community participation. The award winning national community forest will serve as the model community forest and act as a learning center for other communities. The program is open to all community forests nationwide to apply. The awards consist of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Trophy on the “National Model Community Forest”, an Honorary sign to be erected at the winning community forest and a Community Forest Conservation Fund, valued at a total of 3.6 million baht. “I believe that the program will help boost awareness of the importance of forests and create understanding about forest development in line with the ‘sustainable forest, community benefits’ concept. The program also strengthens communities and enhanced community management. The winning community forest will serve as the model community forest and act as the learning center for other communities,” stated Mr. Somchai. Mr. Narong Sitasuwan, Managing Director, Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL said, “One of our important missions is to participant in taking care of the environment and revitalizing natural resources. We have therefore worked closely with the Royal Forest Department, our official partner to implement the Love the Forest and the Community program. A total of 56 million baht was set aside to drive the 5-year project. The initiative is expected to stimulate wider awareness and actions to take care of forests and the environment in the communities.” “We realize the significance of boosting forest conservation and community development, allowing communities to co-exist with forests. This is a strategy that encourages people living around the forests to participate in forest conversation and reforestation activities to increase the nation’s forest area. The initiative will encourage communities to systematically and strongly conserve and develop the forests while boosting them to be the model communities and learning centers for other communities to follow and subsequently promoting learning and creating the network of ‘forest friendly’ communities,” added Mr. Narong. The model community forest awards are divided into three levels of 125 prizes worth a total of 3.6 million baht. There is one prize of a National Award including the HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn trophy, honorary plaque to be erected at the award winning community forest and a 200,000 baht Community Forest Conservation Fund; four prizes of Best Regional Awards including honorary plaques presented by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, and a 100,000 baht Community Forest Conservation Fund; and 120 prizes of Provincial Awards including certificates presented by the Director-General of the Royal Forest Department and 3 million baht to support community forest preservation. Community forests which are interested in joining the program can enter the contest by submitting application forms to the Forest Resource Management Offices or Forestry Development and Study Centers nationwide from today until May 31, 2008. The judging panel will screen the model community forests and visit the selected ones during June — July 2008. Winners will be announced during August — September 2008. More information is available at the Community Forestry Management Office, the Royal Forest Department, Tel: 0 2561 4292 — 3 ext 652 or RATCH Tel: 0 2978 5221. About the Royal Forest Department The Royal Forest Department is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and acts as the core authority to manage forest resources for the ultimate benefit of the country. The Department’s mission is to maintain the nation’s forests in order to meet public demands. To achieve this mission, the Department has placed importance on the roles of local administration organizations and communities as well as good public services under the vision on “Manage Forest Resources for Sustainable Benefits By Public Participation”. About Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL (RATCH) Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL is a leading private power producer in Thailand. Its mission is to develop and invest in power production and related businesses for the higher quality of life and better environment of communities and society. The company current investments in Ratchaburi include Ratchaburi’s Power Plant, Tri Energy’s Power Plant and Ratchaburi’s Power Power Plant. The company operates power generation from Associated Gas Project in Sukhothai. The investment in international projects are consisted of Nam Ngum 2’s Hydro Power Plant, Nam Ngum 3’s Hydro Power Plant, Xae Pien-Xae Nam Noi’s Hydro Power Plant and Hongsa’s Power Plant in Lao PDR; and Koh Kong’s Power Plant in Cambodia. Press enquiries: The Royal Forest Department Potchanee Potchanalawan Tel. 0 2561 4292 Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL. Wiwan Phayakvichien Tel. 0 2978 5221-4 E-mail: [email protected] Azaim Burson-Marsteller Limited Hongsinunt Somboonwanna Tel. 0 2252 9871 E-mail: [email protected]