30,000 trees on a future elephant island
During the tree planting camp at Khao Yai, I travel up and down to Baan Pai Noi. On an island in the river close to this village in the Isaan, we will plant 30,000 trees in one day: Thailand’s national tree planting day. Colleague Tik has prepared everything and when I arrive in the middle of the night, I hear that every detail is taken care of. The land is prepared, the trees brought to the island by boat and the next day 400 volunteers will come in!
On the island lies a gigantic field with holes and bamboo sticks. It looks impressive. But this will really be an enormous job… On the other side of the field people have already started planting, and more and more volunteers come in. Villagers, the local secondary school, volunteers from PDA, everybody immediately get to work. Within two hours the entire field is planted. One team fertilizes them, the rest is going to plant on the second island. In that way, there will be enough room for the elephants and the huts.
With the head of the village and district, I discuss the programme for the visitors. The elephants can stay in the front part of the island, close to the open zoo and the tree hut, which already has Thai visitors. Also, food has to be grown for the elephants as soon as possible: sugar cane, banana or pineapple, or all three. I hope that we soon find more funds for this project because there is so much to do here. I’d rather continue immediately!
With the village and district leaders I discuss the visitors programme. The elephants can stay in the front part of the island, close to the petting zoo and the tree house, which is already attracting Thai tourists. Food for the elephants has to be grown as soon as possible. Sugar cane, banana, or pineapple, or all three. I hope we will be able to find a bigger budget for this project, because there is so much to do here. I’d rather continue immediately!
More information about where trees are planted? Click here…
