Buddharaksa Community Forest: Drought-Resistant Mango Cultivation for Ecosystem Restoration and Community Economy

In the face of increasing climate variability and extended dry seasons in Thailand’s northeastern region, the Buddharaksa Community Forest Project, located in Nong Nam Sai Subdistrict, Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima, has adopted drought-resistant mango cultivation as a dual-purpose strategy supporting both ecosystem sustainability and local economic development. Led by Professor Dr. Lunchanawat Nimmahnratanakul, and implemented under the Buddharaksa Moral Community Program by the Department of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Culture, the project focuses on four carefully selected mango cultivars known for their resilience and economic potential. These perennial fruit trees not only improve soil stability and biodiversity but also serve as a source of income and cultural identity for the local community. The integration of agroforestry with moral development and local participation provides a replicable model of sustainable land use that aligns with Buddhist ecological ethics and long-term community well-being.