Plant for the Planet Project in Thailand

The world is said to be losing its forests at the rate of a soccer pitch per second. This loss of forests is causing acceleration of global warming. It is also said that Thailand has lost half of its forest area over the last forty years. With such facts in mind, a new tree-planting project has begun under the concept of 'Plant for the Planet! Plant for the Future!'

The Disappearing Greenery of Thailand

It takes six hours to get to Bangkok by plane from Japan. In the past, Thailand had an abundance of green forests and was one of the world's leading exporters of wood. Nowadays, however, the fully modernized appearance of the country's cities gives no indication whatsoever of that past. The facts of the situation back up this impression: the forests that covered 53% of the country's territory in 1961 were reduced to 26.6% in 1991, and according to recent data now cover less than 20%.

What is the Plant for the Planet Project ?

The Forest for the Future Project is a part of UNEP's 'the Billion Trees Campaign' and activities towards reforestation are led by the Foundation for Global Peace and Environment. The Project has supported children in tree-planting campaigns in places such as Tibet, Kenya, Japan and so on.
In commemoration of the '120th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand', and to rejuvenate the rich green forests of Thailand, the 'Forest for the Future Project - the Billion Trees Campaign in Thailand' was developed with the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand as cosponsors. The Project began with a press conference and launching reception in Bangkok in November 2007.

The extensive 288-hectare nature park was the site for the opening ceremony and commemorative tree planting. When further tree planting and development is completed, the park will take on the role of a comprehensive learning center where people can learn about Thailand's natural environment.

The Hitachi Group's Participation as a Global Corporation

The Hitachi Group, inspired by its own 'Environmental Vision 2025', fully approves of initiatives for global environmental protection such as this and is giving special support to the 'Forest for the Future Project  Ethe Billion Trees Campaign in Thailand'. The Hitachi Group, as a global corporation aiming to help achieve a more sustainable society and to protect the global environment, has given its full cooperation to this Project. It donated 2.3 million baht (approximately US $ 65,000) to the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation, as well as two mini excavators from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Thailand). Employees of the Group have also been participating in the actual tree-planting campaigns.

Ms. Tomoko Yano, Executive Officer for the Foundation for Global Peace and Environment, speaks here on the Hitachi Group's new actions for the environment in Thailand.

The Hitachi Group has forty companies active within Thailand as of the end of June 2008, creating employment for approximately 20,000 people. The Group intends to continue to make use of its wide-ranging power and mobility to be actively involved in efforts to recreate a verdant land, working with Thai people and children in particular.

• page top