November 2015 │ Thailand
On November 7, employees from Deutsche Bank Bangkok volunteered with the Thai Volunteer Service Foundation in their mangrove restoration initiative. The foundation has been working on the conservation of more than 3.2 square kilometres of mangrove forest in Lamyai Subdistrict.
Upon arrival, the volunteers were welcomed by the local governor. Together with Foundation representatives, the Deutsche Bank volunteers travelled to the forest fieldwork area via a longtail boat along the river. A guide introduced the group to diverse species of both plants and animals spotted along the way. The volunteers also learnt about the locals’ way of life. The small town in the sub-district has undergone rapid development in the manufacturing sector and this has affected the ecosystem in the sub-district. The locals use the natural resources available to them to generate a livelihood, producing simple products for sale in Bangkok and other cities. With support from the Thai Volunteer Service Foundation, the locals have embraced ecotourism and sustainability and are working to minimise their environmental footprint.
Mangrove forests are important habitats for many species and their roots protect shorelines from erosion. Knee deep in the mud, the volunteers assisted in the mangrove restoration effort by planting young mangrove trees. The trees will grow to full maturity in five years. One volunteer said, “It feels great to be able to add value back into the ecosystem and to seek a balance with what is needed in economic term