Tree Planting on the Occasion of David Lyman's 70th Birthday
Ban Namta-Ban Namree, Amphoe Tapla, Uttaradit Province
August 26-27, 2006

To commemorate his 70th birthday, Mr. David Lyman has undertaken a tree-planting project in Ban Namta-Ban Namree, Amphoe Tapla, in Uttaradit Province in cooperation with the Rajapruek Institute Foundation. On August 26, 2006 at 7:30 a.m., about 30 T&G staff members led by Mr. Lyman embarked on a 7-hour journey to Amphoe Tapla by automobile and van. They spent overnight in tents in the Rajapruek camp, and the next day, took a 1-hour drive on a perilous mountain road on 4-wheel drive pick-up trucks to reach the hilltop location of the project.

The site has an area of 350 rai on which 35,000 trees will eventually be planted. It was recommended by the Rajapruek Institute Foundation because it presents a good opportunity not only for restoring the environment and nature but also assisting the victims of the flash flood which devastated the area some months ago. According to Mr. Nitus of the Rajapruek Foundation, the structural damage to the ravaged areas in Uttaradit will require decades of natural or man-made restoration to return them to their original state. Rajapruek staff and villagers will take care of the trees for this 3-year project.

Some of the photos below show the damage to the hills/mountains around Ban Namta-Ban Namree resulting from mudslides triggered by heavy rains in May this year, which also devastated the low-lying areas. This new project is located on top of a hill in Tambon Namman, a degenerate forest, which used to be a logging concession. All the big trees are gone, having been cut down by the loggers. In addition to planting trees, DL and T&G staff also donated sporting goods, toys and agricultural supplies and school equipment to the villagers and schoolchildren in the area.