Recent Developments Tree Planting. Assisted natural regeneration and purposive planting have been conducted in the last five years. Native timber species such as the aforementioned dipterocarps and other indigenous timbers were planted in open areas dominated by Cylindrica imperata, Lantana camara and other associated weedy pioneers. Unfortunately, very small and barely plantable seedlings were mostly used and could hardly survive with moisture stress in the degraded environment. Replanting with bigger and pioneer-appropriate species has been recommended. Contour Farming. In 2010, sustainable farming practices were initiated along slopes by establishing contour hedges and planting agronomic intercrops 14 THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY parallel to the contours with the strips. Gliricidia sepium was used as the main contour hedge. The strip crops included corn, sorghum, bananas, sweet potato and vegetables like malunggay and sikwa. Introduction of SWC technologies through ERECON and ICRISAT. In the last couple of years, the University established linkages with the Institute of Environmental Rehabilitation and Conservation (ERECON) and the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Initial activities included a brief training of a few BISU personnel and farmers at the site on SWC measures through water harvesting (ICRISAT), and composting and mulching with soil in plastic bags around the base of the plants (ERECON). Figure 4. A portion of the contour farms. Figure 5. Forging partnerships with ERECON and ICRISAT.
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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