The APFNet Workshop on Rehabilitation and Management of Degraded Forests was successfully concluded on August 26, 2024, including 13 forestry officials and researchers from 10 Asian economies. The 8-day workshop, the very first in-person training event after the pandemic, was structured with expert lectures, participants’ case studies and group work, and visits to field sites.

Mr. Wasantha Dissanayake, senior forestry policy consultant, moderated the indoor session. In his keynote lecture “Enhancing Forest Restoration through Inclusive Policies and Effective Implementation”, he reviewed forest degradation and deforestation and restoration commitments in Asia and the Pacific region, evaluated the current forestry policy systems through case analysis, listed gaps and barriers that have jeopardized formation of inclusive and effective forest policies for large-scale restoration programs, finally provided with recommendations. Invited experts also introduced the role of forestry carbon sink in addressing climate change and shared forest restoration practices and experiences in China. 

Keynote lectures 

Participants shared their forest restoration practices, challenges, and conflicts they confronted, and they explored possible policy solutions that could more effectively support future interventions. Participants were grouped to represent forest authorities, local community organizations, and large corporate partners. SWOT analysis was practiced to present strengths and opportunities of the three main stakeholders to play greater roles and collaborate in forest rehabilitation and management.

Participants' presentations and group work 

Though the field visits, participants learned more about:

 A watcher system for 24/7 monitoring and early alarming of forest fires, and modern techniques and approaches for more effective forest fire management. 

 The germplasm resource banks of Dendrobium spp (a rare and high-value medical herb) plantations under natural forests to boost local economic development. 

 The seedlings production in Pinus Kesiya Engineering Technology Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration to help upgrade the forestry industry and contribute to green development in Yunnan Province. 

 Household goods and high-end particleboard production using wood waste.

 Protected Area management policies and practices.

Field visits

Participants appreciated the learning and the opportunity to update their knowledge and skills and to build friendships. They welcomed more of this for constant experience sharing and mutual learning and to inspire the development of joint research and projects.

Certificate ceremony

This workshop was sponsored by APFNet and organized by the Forestry and Grassland Administration of Yunnan Province and Southwest Forestry University, with technical support from APFNet Kunming Training Center, Forestry and Grassland Administration of Pu’er City, Pu'er Forestry and Grassland Research Institute, and Wanzhangshan Forest Farm. 

APFNet Thematic Training

Capacity building forms one of the four major implementation tools of APFNet. The thematic training program serves forest officials and practitioners of Asia and the Pacific as a learning hub and has benefited more than 400 people via 30+ training sessions.