Five days in the forest unveil nature' s fragility and wonder

"A human is just a small dot in nature. If our demand corresponds with our size, nature will not be abused to its limit. But it seems humans have far more desires than they actually need," one young participant said at a youth camp.

"Without us, the natural resources can survive by themselves. But without natural resources, we can't survive," said another youngster.

They are among the 72 children from 55 schools from all regions of the country who recently took part in the youth camp on Inthanon Mountain in Chiang Mai. The event, jointly organised by Doi Inthanon National Forest and Electricity Generating Public Company Limited (Egco), took the young participants into the forest in an attempt to instil in them the awareness of environmental preservation. The five-day course included two days of treks and one night of camping in the forest.

During the forest treks, Forestry Department officials taught the children about wildlife, rocks and earth. The youngsters were also taken to a headwater area where the forest is healthy.

"We try to explain to the children the idea of interdependence in nature. They have learned how to be kind to nature by not cutting off that circuit of natural interdependence," said Tan Maneetoh, an official at the national forest who was among the trainers.

"Uncle Tan", as he was known among the children, has a commendable record in protecting the environment. He lost his right eye about 10 years ago while on duty.

"I tried to catch an animal-poacher in this Inthanon forest when he shot at me. I was blinded in one of my eyes," recounted Tan, who is now 55.

As a protector of the forest, he tried to pass on the spirit of conservation to the younger generation. "We all share the duty of protecting our natural resources, so we have to help. You may not be able to do much at your age, but you can begin in your family. When you grow up and have more potential, you'll be able to do much more."

As part of the activities while camping in the forest, the children were taken to sit alone in the dark for 20 minutes, separately from one another. After returning to the camping area, they were asked to write about the experience and how they felt.

One young participant said she was aware of the greatness of nature and that she was just a small dot in nature. Another felt guilty for having exploited nature. Others simply were frightened or missed their parents.

In another activity, the young participants were asked to pretend to be a fawn whose mother had been killed by a poacher. The children were blindfolded and told to walk along a designated path by feeling a guiding rope along the route. The route took the children past a stony stream, slopes and an area covered with shrubs.

Tan said the activity was aimed at teaching the children to stay cautious and alert in the face of problems and obstacles.

Upon completing the course, the young participants agreed they had developed their love for nature.

"I now have a better understanding of nature and forests. I intend to take more care of the environment," said Thorung Tangsombatvisit, an 18-year-old student from Bangkok.

Chiang Mai resident Chuenfa Noranitiwan, who is 13 and the youngest participant, said she had found the sound of nature the most beautiful of any sound she had heard.

Koliyoh Kalupae from Narathiwat, one of the 12 schoolchildren from the deep South, said it was the first time that she had been so close to nature. "I felt refreshed while in the forest. I have more love for nature, and I intend not to damage nature. I will start with not throwing garbage in the river," she said.

Nutbenya Sumajit from Surin said her ideas about natural resources had completely changed. "I use to think it was natural resources that depended on us humans, but in fact it's us who rely on them. Without us, natural resources can survive, but without them we can't."

University student Manon Khanthong, 19, who acted as a coordinator during the youth camp, said he had gone on a similar one himself five years ago. He said the camp allowed the participants an opportunity to get to know nature first hand. "Learning it this way is better than getting mere lessons in the classroom. Students have a better understanding and develop a love for nature," he said.

Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Egco Group's senior vice president for corporate communications, said the company had started the youth-camp programme in 1997. Thirty courses have been organised, and 1,900 youngsters have completed the training, he added.

"We want to instil in children the idea of helping others and not exploiting others. People with this quality certainly will not exploit nature. They will also act as preservers of natural resources when opportunities permit," Wuthichai said.