Urban Forest Part 1: Mae Hia Botanical Garden

The characteristic ‘two sides’ of Mae Hia City is an outstanding and unique feature compared to other cities. On one side, the area accounts for 49% of the total forested, green space and recreational area and, most importantly, large plot area. There are a variety of activities and facilities useful in many aspects, be it for intense exercise such as running, cycling, aerobics, and skateboarding, or recreational areas for jogging, lounging, reading, kite-flying, and picnics. These areas embrace almost all activities and are suitable for all ages.

The potential here is second-to-none, arising from formulation of policy, development, and participation by both the public sector, locals and residents in the area, who come together to think, design and do. This article focuses on one of Mae Hia’s green areas in particular, so that more may know and be invited to visit, and subsequently spread praise and advice regarding development of other such areas in the future.

Urban Forest

A concept for the west side, urban forests are defined as part of urban forestry, which concerns the systematic and planned management of urban vegetation and integration of various sciences of tree management in urban areas which takes into account basic characteristics, social factors, and quality of life of people living in urban areas through participation of the housing public [Carter, 1995].

For Thailand, the urban forest concept is a broader concept than that of green areas or public parks, which is clearly visible in the management of the area’s environment, both in terms of tree management, landscaping, and ecosystems that emphasize sustainability and self-management of wild-nature, and is clearly visible compared to general public parks.

Urban forests have therefore become defined as forest plantations which permit almost entirely natural growth and sustainability, with care taken to allocate or create such areas within or adjacent to urban zones.

In Mae Hia, there are two main forested areas: Mae Hia Botanical Garden, and the other forested areas contained within the city, supervised by Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Protection Unit at Thor Por 4.

This article discusses Mae Hia Botanical Garden. Please read and follow the story of the second urban forest in the article entitled “5 Active Green Areas @ Mae Hia City”.

Anyone that passes along the road in front of Chiang Mai Night Safari may be familiar with the small road turning left and heading south towards Nong Kwai Village. The shaded and pleasant atmosphere, especially in the morning (there are lots of cars in the evening), invites one to jog along the road or take a relaxing bike ride. A small forested area, through the middle of which runs a small road, is named Mae Hia Botanical Garden, formerly known as the Northern Botanical Garden of Literature and Mae Hia Botanical Garden of Literature. Established in 1987 and covering an area of approximately 1,000 rai, with the main administrator at that time being Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, it was built in honor of His Majesty The King on the occasion of His Majesty The King’s 60th Birthday Anniversary, before responsibility was transferred to the Royal Forest Department and Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and the majority of the area was allocated to the Chiang Mai Night Safari project.

Mae Hia Botanical Garden (urban forest) is still in operation and participates in the Urban Forest Project “Pracharat Forest Park for the happiness of the Thai people”, a government initiative. Accordingly, the focus is on forest-based activities in the city, including knowledge of planting, study of plant species, study of dried plants (herbarium), natural forest-enhancement, exercise activities (walking, running, cycling), creative activities related to the forest, and knowledge of tree conservation.