Technical Assistance to Improve Knowledge and Innovative Policy for Forest Fire Reduction in Northern Thailand 

Thailand is known for its diverse landscapes, from sandy coastlines to central plains dotted with rice paddies and tropical rainforests. Over the past two decades, forest fires have caused severe forest degradation and biodiversity loss in northern Thailand. The absence of early warning systems and gaps in landscape monitoring contribute to the challenge. In recent years, the government has taken several steps to address the issue, including introducing a ban on open burning and community-level pilot projects.

 To reduce the occurrence of forest fires, PROGREEN is providing technical assistance to improve knowledge of forest fire reduction and develop effective policies to address this challenge. Activities within the knowledge program seek to integrate existing knowledge with participatory and innovative policy approaches that span emerging technologies, alternative institutional arrangements, and budget allocation strategies. Collaboration with stakeholders, such as government agencies, the private sector, and communities, will enable the identification and implementation of necessary policy adjustments and alternative agricultural practices that would sustainably reduce forest fires in the key landscapes. In addition, the activity will focus on improving the livelihoods of people living near national reserve forests and conservation areas, such as farmers who rely on maize production and scavenged forest products for income.  

PROGREEN support has focused on identifying the root causes of forest fires and existing fire management systems to inform policy and optimize effective management. To date, a wildfire risk map and management information system framework have been co-developed with government agencies through expert interviews and workshops with provincial officers representing the nine northern provinces. The team also completed a value chain analysis to understand the relationship between agriculture and forest fires, recommending more sustainable practices and strengthening farmer capacity.  

Recognizing that western Cambodia and southern Laos face similar challenges, technical counterparts from these countries will be invited to dissemination workshops to learn from the implemented solutions. Through such knowledge sharing, the activity can bolster its impact by expanding awareness of cost-effective practices for reducing forest fires in neighboring countries.