May 11, 2026

GEF-ISRL project hands over drones to support forest and biodiversity conservation in Thailand

Activities, biodiversity, forest restoration, GEF-ISRL, News and Events

Story and Photos by Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes Project/ GIZ Thailand

The Inclusive Sustainable Rice Landscapes (ISRL) Project is committed to strengthening forest conservation and biodiversity restoration in northern and north-eastern Thailand.

Supported by funds from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with Thailand’s Royal Forest Department (RFD), agricultural and forest survey drones were handed over to the Forest Resource Management Office Area No 2 in Chiang Rai province and the Forest Resource Management Office Area No 7 in Ubon Ratchathani province, respectively.

The aim was to enhance the monitoring of forest encroachment, forest fires and ecosystem recovery in the north while increasing reforestation areas and biodiversity in north-eastern community forests, government agencies, the private sector, business associations, research institutes, and civil society organisations.

“Chiang Rai province is regarded as a vital watershed area in northern Thailand. Its diverse and complex geography comprising highlands, slopes and forested areas play a crucial role in the ecosystem and agriculture, particularly rice cultivation by farmers in lowlands. However, forest management faces challenges of encroachment and forest fires, often occurring in the areas difficult for forest patrols to access. That’s why unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) or drone technology plays a vital role in enhancing our work and shifting from reactive to proactive forest management. Importantly, the high-resolution and up-to-date data from drones will be a key tool in supporting more effective planning and policy decision-making because accurate data is the heart of sustainable forest restoration,” said Mr Amphon Wiangthong, Director of Forest Resource Management Office Area No 2 (Chiang Rai).

The drones, DJI Mavic 3 Multispectrum model, and equipment provided to the northern RFD authorities are equipped with a multispectral camera to scan and analyse health and growth rates of planted forests with a highly integrated imaging system. These features will enable forest and natural resources conservation personnel to utilise aerial images for mapping forest areas, analyse forest classification, canopy structures and density while detecting degraded areas, and monitor unusual changes such as deforestation and wildfires at an early stage. Additionally, the DJI Matrice 4E drone can support geospatial data collection in forest management including mapping, controlling encroachment and forest fire monitoring.

Training sessions on drone operation, mission planning and advanced aerial data processing were also organised to strengthen capacity among the Royal Forest Department’s provincial personnel and local community representatives so they would effectively be able to collect, process and utilise data in the 2D and 3D maps, useful for systematic forest monitoring and biodiversity restoration planning, assessment and decision-making.

The project previously handed over agricultural drones to the Forest Resources Management Office Region 7 in Ubon Ratchathani, regarded as the second largest province in north-eastern Thailand. The province houses as much as 150,000 rai (24,000 ha.) of community forest. However, comprehensive restoration is much needed across the area.

Mr Weera Amornsakchai, Director of Community Forest Management Division at the Forest Resources Management Office Region 7, Ubon Ratchathani Branch, said he planned to implement comprehensive community forest restoration activities by using the agricultural drone in two pilot districts of Muang Sam Sib and Kueang Nai. Activities will include seed dispersal of native forest plant species, fertiliser application and fungal spore spraying in 5,000 rai (800 ha.) of degraded community forest areas. This will improve forest restoration and provide non-forest timber products (NFTPs), such as mushrooms, herbs and honey for community consumption.

Integrated agriculture is being put into practice at villages located near community forest common areas. Rice is cultivated during monsoon season. Farmers plant peanuts as a post-harvest crop. Local communities also work with authorities as community forest committees and forest rangers on reforestation and reviving biodiversity by planting bamboo and creating firebreaks to prevent forest fires.

A drone flight demonstration was also held at the piloted village Baan Kham Koeng in Tambon Toey, Muang Sam Sib district, to spray water and spread dry granular fertiliser at demonstration plots for showcasing the use of drones in intensive agriculture practices and forest management. This technology could reduce the overuse of fertilizer, enable precise watering, and require less labour. These practices have a great impact on ecosystem restoration and reforestation.

Mr Tawee Wongsamart, villager at Baan Kham Koeng, said increasing availability of edible mushrooms for consumption would support food security and community livelihoods. Surrounding communities would also benefit from integrated agriculture and agroforestry. Local communities could also produce and harvest medicinal plants, which can generate long-term income

German Mueller, ISRL Project Director, said the project seeks to support farmers in adopting sustainable rice farming practices, promoting integrated landscape management and contributing to Thailand’s overall rice sector. Drone technology is crucial for forest conservation and restoration. It allows officials to quickly and safely access difficult areas, reducing labour and allowing safe work in hazardous locations. Restoring the natural balance and increasing the biodiversity of community forests near agricultural-based communities will also help boost food security and livelihoods

The ISRL Project will continue working with the Royal Forest Department on reforestation and forest restoration and the protection of high conservation value forest (HCVF) as well as engaging more on community forest management to systematically implement forest conservation and restoration efforts in the long term. ■