Can we turn back the tide of industrial farming?

Project Update March 5, 2024

When the Nam Tien Reservoir was established in Sayaboury Province to provide water for the rice farmers living downstream, the surrounding area was thick with forest. Many rare species of birds and animals could be found in this forest, which was also a source of fruits, nuts, herbs and mushrooms for local communities. In 2011, this area was considered the ideal place to establish the Elephant Conservation Centre. What has happened since then, however, represents a threat to the future of these iconic animals and the wellbeing of local people.  During the past decade, a drastic transformation occurred in the landscape around the Nam Tien reservoir. Hundreds of hectares have been cleared to make way for the crops demanded by foreign investors. Despite being declared a ‘Protection Area’ by the local government, what was observed by researchers from the Wyss Academy in 2023 was the replacement of the natural vegetation by banana plantations drenched in pesticides, melon fields covered by kilometers of plastic sheeting, and several rows of cassava planted on rapidly eroding slopes.  In order to find a solution to these problems, data was collected, maps were prepared, and several meetings were held. Different stakeholders agreed that the encroachment of the Nam Tien Protection Area had to stop, and the forest should be restored. The Provincial Governor issued instructions and established a task force. The Department responsible for Agriculture and Forestry has been given a leading role, while others responsible for Planning, Finance, the Environment and Public Security also have a part to play in this challenging endeavor.