Opfølgning på projektet

Projektet i Thailand og Malaysia har været i gang siden sommeren 2023. En af projektets hovedaktiviteter er en klimaaktivistuddannelse for de unge oprindelige folk. Som led i denne uddannelse har de unge oprindelige folks klimaforkæmpere i Thailand været på besøg i forskellige oprindelige communities for at få inspiration og viden, som de kan tage med sig videre i deres kamp og tilbage til deres egne landsbyer. Her deler vi to artikler som to af de unge oprindelige folk har skrevet i forbindelse med disse besøg.

Good breath with a green forest, Chiang Rai province

Written by: Janjira, Shri Vishti (La)

January 15, 2024

We’ve all heard stories about the “Umbilical Forest,” right? Perhaps you’ve never even heard of it. Maybe you have, but you don’t know its true meaning, or you don’t deeply understand what the term “Umbilical Forest” means. I was one of those people. But now, I understand, as I’ve been to the actual place, in Ban Huai Hin Lad Nai village, Chiang Rai province. It’s a small community of about 22 households of the Karen people who have a deep relationship with the forest.

The beginning of the creation of the Umbilical Forest, which I never knew before, might be both an ancient belief and a method of forest conservation by the Karen people.

Tying the umbilical cord of a newborn to a tree is a long-standing tradition among the Karen people for forest conservation. I might still be inexperienced in telling stories, which might make this seem humorous, but I spoke with an elder, Uncle Niwet, who is the owner of the house I stayed in, and he explained to me.

“Forest conservation: if there are a million people, there should be a million trees. If someone cuts down or fells a tree, it must be replaced by planting a new one for the tree’s owner, and everyone must have their own tree.”

This sentence is one I liked very much. I had never thought of these things before. I just wondered how to conserve the forest, but only thought about it and never acted. This one sentence made me truly understand that those who love the forest are those who live with it, utilize it, but never think of destroying it.

The practice of creating an Umbilical Forest involves taking the umbilical cord from a mother who has just given birth and tying it to a tree. A local elder explained and believed that:

“The umbilical cord, when in the womb, represents the relationship between mother and child. But when tied to a tree, it signifies the relationship between humans and the forest that will last forever. The forest is many things to life and can also be medicine for people.”

These words came from Daojai. The new generation in the community is an important force for the future in imparting knowledge to the next generations. Moreover, tying a child’s umbilical cord to a tree is not just about tying it to any tree; it must be a fruit-bearing tree that humans or animals can eat from. The selection of the tree must be prepared before the child is born, reserving it beforehand. After birth, the umbilical cord is tied to the chosen tree, but not directly tied around it.

At first, I thought it was done this way and asked myself:

“If it’s tied directly to the tree, won’t it decompose? If it decomposes, how would they know the tree has an owner?” This made me curious, so I asked Daojai if it had to be done this way or if it was buried. But if buried, it wouldn’t seem to bind to the tree. Daojai explained:

“It must be wrapped in white cloth, then placed in a bamboo tube, and the tube is then tied to the tree with a string.” This made me immediately understand.

“It’s a pity there’s no example to see, but at least I can imagine what it looks like,” I told Daojai.

A unique feature of the Umbilical Forest in Huai Hin Lad Nai is something unlike anywhere else, or maybe other places have it, or not. Here, there is an agreement with the hospital to obtain the child’s umbilical cord for tying to a tree.

In the past, this might not have been allowed, but now, after discussions and understanding, the hospital permits the umbilical cords to be taken back home.

Daojai explained, “Currently, doctors from the hospital have come into the community to study the forest. The doctors also conduct research because they initially believed taking the umbilical cord home was bad and unhygienic. But over time, understanding developed, and the hospital allowed it and even came to see the Umbilical Forest because it is fascinating in terms of forest conservation. The forest stays with us if we know how to conserve it and use it wisely. I believe that ‘we will breathe well every day and forever in preserving the forest well.’” Green Umbilical Forest.

The 5 rivers Leading to Huai Nam Sai Nai in the Phu Hin Rong Kla Region: A Land of Changing Life and Spirit, Phitsanulok province

Written by: Khwanjira Sae-Wa

January 17, 2024

“Where there is a water source, there will be life.”
I often hear this phrase. Humans have always lived with water sources, both in the past and the present, because water is essential for life. It is a fertile source of sustenance for plants, animals, and humans. If water sources vanish, life forms will disappear too.

Every day after school, my brother and his friends would go to play in the water near the village, and I would follow them. This is a memory I can recall when talking about the village river.

I once asked my father where our village’s name came from. He answered:

“The village’s name comes from the river that flows through it. In the past, it was very abundant. During the rainy season, everyone would set fish traps along the river’s edge, which is why the village is named Huai Nam Sai .” Father continued that after the Communist Party suppression in 1983, the village leader led everyone to settle in the Huai Nam Sai area in Nakhon Thai District, Phitsanulok Province.

The headwaters flow from the Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, with five rivers converging: Huai Nam Kok Ta, Huai Nam Pong, Huai Nam Phut, Huai Nam Daeng, and Huai Nam Yang.

For this reason, this area is a rich water source, with shrimp, shellfish, crabs, and fish flowing in the water. Villagers catch fish and gather plants growing along the water’s edge for food and agriculture. The tap water used today comes from Huai Nam Pong, Huai Nam Kok Ta, Huai Nam Khamin, and Huai Nam Yang.

Each year, two people are assigned to maintain the water pipes, with each household paying a 20 baht maintenance fee per year. This serves as compensation for the responsible individuals and covers repair equipment costs. For minor damages, these two will handle repairs. For major damage, they report to the village head, who then asks each household to send a representative to help repair it. Every year, representatives are also sent to inspect the headwaters.

Several years ago, some villagers used electric shock devices to catch fish instead of traditional methods, leading to the near extinction of fish in the rivers. Additionally, deforestation along the river banks for agriculture and excessive use of chemicals to control pests damaged the soil, preventing it from retaining water. During the rainy season, water flows into the rivers rapidly, causing flash floods and damaging agricultural products near the river. In the dry season, water dries up quickly, and naturally growing plants along the river die off, causing water shortages for agriculture and household use.

I asked my father how he feels about the changes in Huai Nam Sai today. He replied:

“In the past, I loved playing in the water with friends and fishing while tending cows. If this river disappears, I would feel like my childhood memories and good times are gone too. If one day the river dries up, it means our current headwaters are drying up as well.”

Currently, there is support to build 2-3 small dams in each river to store water for agriculture during the dry season and to increase moisture for the vegetation along the rivers. Additionally, fishing is prohibited in areas where dams are built.

In agriculture, plowing the soil instead of burning it is practiced to preserve soil microorganisms. Vetiver grass is planted to conserve the soil, and terraced farming is implemented to prevent soil erosion and easy washing away. However, significant natural resource destruction has occurred, requiring a long time for restoration.

For me, the memories with this river are abundant. Playing in the water every day after school, fishing with my brother on weekends, and helping my aunt water the vegetables every evening. I want to be part of preserving this river forever.

If we can protect this water source, we can benefit from it for a long time because water is essential for life. If the water in Huai Nam Sai stops flowing, it would be a sign that all five rivers are drying up too. By then, it would be too late for everything.