On May 10, volunteers of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) organized an activity to replant native tree species in a degraded Holy Hill at Manyangguang Village, Jinghong, Xishuangbanna. Over 200 saplings of 9 native tree species were replanted by the local villagers, school students and XTBG youth volunteers, with financial support of Botanical Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).

Recovery of degraded sacred forests is an important part of “Zero extinction’ conservation plan for plants in Xishuangbanna” by the Chinese Union of Botanic Gardens (CUBG). Comparing the current plant record with historical ones, the project plans to restore the plant composition and structure of the holy hill as recorded in the plant directory in1959. It aims to restore the degraded sacred forest with locally available, native plant species, and to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the remaining natural forest stands from conversion into rubber plantations.

In 2011, XTBG and BGCI forged partnership to develop a model for restoration of tropical rain forest on limestone in Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve. This forest type has dramatically decreased in size in Xishuangbanna area, mainly due to conversion to rubber plantations.

Local Dai villagers plant saplings

Local primary school students pose a photo after planting trees

All people particpate in the activity