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Myanmar

REGION: Kheshorter Community Forest
RESTORATION SITE PARTNER: Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN)
ECOSYSTEM: Montane Evergreen Dry Dipterocarp Forest within the Dawna Tenasserim Landscape
RESTORATION COVERAGE: 5, 911 hectares (strong coverage with some degraded areas)
This project takes place in Kawthoolei, the homeland of the Indigenous Karen people in southeast Myanmar. Amid ongoing conflict, intensified since the 2021 military coup, Karen communities face displacement while striving to protect their biodiversity for food sovereignty, culture, and livelihoods. The Kheshorter forest, governed by 15 Karen communities, is central to these efforts. Karen women, with their deep knowledge of biodiversity and Non-Timber Forest Products, play key roles in conservation but remain underrecognized. This project aims to empower women in biodiversity restoration and governance, ensuring their contributions are valued in local, regional, and global conservation efforts.

Overview

This project is carried out in Kawthoolei, the Indigenous Karen people’s homeland in southeast Myanmar. Kawthoolei encompasses the Karen (Kayin) state in Myanmar and extends a small amount beyond those borders drawn by the central administration. The Karen state is under the administration of the Karen National Union. Currently, Myanmar is in the midst of a conflict. Although the Karen state has seen conflict for over 70 years, since the military coup in 2021, the conflict has intensified, and there are regular airstrikes and ground attacks across different Karen areas. Many are now facing internal displacement or are having to flee regularly from their homes due to airstrikes. During this conflict, and with the threats of climate change, Karen communities understand the critical importance of maintaining the rich biodiversity of their ancestral lands for their food sovereignty, livelihoods, culture, and spirituality. They continue to reach out to the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) for support and wish to continue their work strengthening reliance in their communities.

The Kheshorter forest is located west of Lu Thaw Township, Mutraw (Papun) District and east of Mon Township of Klerlweehtoo (Nyaunglaybin) District of Kawthoolei in Burma. The forest is under the collective governance, protection and management of fifteen (15) indigenous Karen communities living in three village tracts, namely Kay Pu, Ler Mu Plaw, and Saw Mu Plaw of Mutraw District. This project will also involve communities from nearby CFs Lay Kay and Ler Mu Khlo.

Indigenous Karen women typically carry out distinct livelihood and farming tasks and have distinct knowledge and wisdom about biodiversity. For example, women are more likely to place higher value on Non Timbre Forest Products (NTFPs) and herbal medicines than men. Indigenous Karen women often lead efforts to protect and restore ecosystems and species that are vital to their communities’ well-being. Women have important roles and are valuable to communities in distinct ways from men in some Karen communities. Yet, women’s involvement and leadership in conservation and natural resource governance are often overlooked at a local, regional, and global level. Recognising and supporting Indigenous women’s role in conservation is essential to achieving sustainable and equitable outcomes for both people and the planet. This project seeks to create opportunities and support women to carry out biodiversity conservation and restoration and highlight the essential contributions of women to the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources.

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The team recording species' names during a field survey.

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In Karen language, this is called " Thay Ter Lee De". It is edible and one of the squirrels' best foods.

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Bulbophyllum bittnerianum is a new flower found in the Karen area. They are considered the spirit of rice and the locals also use them for decoration purposes and others.

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The locals pray for their safety before entering the forest as a sign of respect towards nature.

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Agaric fungus is one of the edible mushrooms

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Gymnosperm was found by the research team, and it is edible after cooking.

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Wax-leaved pivet (ligustrum lucidum) is one of the plants in the conservation area. Their leaves and fruits are edible and have a sour taste. It can be food for both humans and wild animals.

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K’lee Thew is a combination of small roots like a net, it is another kind of medicine that people usually boil before eating.

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Thay Ka Poe is a plant used to treat malaria symptoms by boiling their leaves and bark before drinking and the taste is very bitter.

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Poroid fungi(cymatoderma spp) are edible.

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Milk-cap which is another kind of mushroom that can be eaten.

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The women research team during the field research crossing a bridge made up with small bamboos. This is one of the challenges that the women research team have to face.

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Taking a group picture at the mountain while conducting field research.

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"Haw Ko Daw Paw" their leaves that can be eaten after boiling but not their flower.

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"Paw Kwaw Gaw” is one of the flowers that bloom during the rainy season with its attractive red colors.

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"Haw Yoe Ka" are edible. People, usually cook and fry for food and the taste is bitter.

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King Alfred's cake (Daldinia Concentrica) (Bolton), we use this mushroom as material as coal to make a fire in the rainy season.

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Measure King Alfred's cake by using a measuring tape unit.

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"Ter Aye Shay" some are in the forests and some are planted. It is edible and people take its roots to cook with meat.

Proposed outputs

Empowering Indigenous Karen Women in Conservation: Strengthening the capacities of Indigenous Karen women to lead biodiversity conservation, management, and restoration in their communities.

Building Awareness and Action: Organizing capacity-building activities, reforestation efforts, and women-led biodiversity research.

Strengthening Community Engagement: Fostering collaboration among communities, community forests, and women researchers on biodiversity conservation.

Revitalizing Indigenous Knowledge: Preserving and promoting traditional ecological knowledge related to biodiversity.

Honoring Indigenous Traditions for Conservation: Upholding, celebrating, and raising awareness of Indigenous customs that protect forests and watershed areas.

Bridging Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge: Enhancing women’s capacity to document and share both indigenous and scientific knowledge on local biodiversity and biocultural conservation.

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