NACC Khon Kaen Joins Forces with STRONG–Anti-Corruption Network to Monitor Corruption and Protect Community Forests
The NACC Khon Kaen Office, together with the STRONG–Anti-Corruption Network, visited Ban Khok Ki Community Forest and Ban Pha Nam Thiang Community Forest to discuss and establish anti-corruption measures aimed at protecting the forests and promoting sustainable use of community forest resources. The initiative highlights that safe community forests bring happiness to local residents.
Teerat Bangpetch ,Director of the Khon Kaen NACC Office, stated that the office, in collaboration with the STRONG Network, visited Ban Khok Ki Community Forest, Village No. 9, Bua Yai Subdistrict, Nam Phong District, and Ban Pha Nam Thiang Community Forest, Village No. 4, Boribun Subdistrict, Si Chomphu District, Khon Kaen Province. The aim was to monitor efforts to reduce the risks of corruption related to illegal logging in community forests. The visit also included discussions on establishing anti-corruption measures to protect forest resources and ensure the sustainable use of community forests, with participation from the Community Forest Committee. Legal education on forest resource management was provided to local villagers, community forest committees, and the community forest network.
Additionally, the NACC is encouraging community forests to join the carbon credit certification program, allowing community forest networks to engage in carbon credit trading. This initiative will generate income for the sustainable management of the forest. It also fosters a sense of pride and responsibility among locals to protect their natural resources, promoting vigilance against illegal logging in community and conservation forests, preventing forest fires, and participating in reforestation efforts as part of the carbon credit program.
The mutually beneficial relationship between people and the community forest provides several advantages. Environmentally, it addresses watershed issues that impact agricultural livelihoods and water consumption. Socially, it promotes cooperation in forest management activities for the common good, fostering unity within the community. Economically, it creates household income from foraging within the forest, as allowed by law, and adds value through the processing of forest products. The Khon Kaen NACC Office is also focused on enhancing the capacity of local residents and the community forest committees to serve as volunteer networks monitoring corruption related to community forests and natural resource management, including stone quarries in the area. This effort follows the STRONG Model for fiscal year 2024, aiming to effectively drive anti-corruption initiatives and ensure tangible results in natural resource protection.
