Karen Environmental and Social Action Network.
Empowering communities, securing peace, protecting environment, land and livelihood
KESAN is a community-based, non-governmental, non-profit organization that works to improve livelihood security and to gain respect for indigenous people’s knowledge and rights in Karen State of Burma, where the violence and inequities of more than 60 years of civil war have created one of the most impoverished regions in the world.
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We don’t raise bees, bees raise us instead
For generations, in Karen lands referred as Kawthoolei, particularly, in the Salween Peace Park, harvesting honey from tall trees has been a way for the Karen people to generate income. However, local villagers cannot sell their honey at reasonable prices because the quality still can be…
Declaration of commitment of the Indigenous Karen People to preserve the wildlife in the Salween River Basin (Way Boo Hta Declaration)
Date : April 30, 2025Place : Salween Peace Park, Mutraw District/ Brigade # 5 The Salween River Basin is endowed with diverse ecosystems, ranging from mixed deciduous, dry dipterocarps, pine, montane to hill evergreen forests. These ecosystems host many globally significant wildlife species. Iconic wildlife species…
Incorporating wildlife protection and ecotourism
27 March 2027 – From 17th to 18th March 2025, community members of the Kheshorter Community Forest in northern Salween Peace Park held an annual meeting in Paw Law Pu, Luthaw Township, Mutraw District, Kawthoolei. Around 70 people attended, including community members from 15 villages, leaders…
Continue Reading Incorporating wildlife protection and ecotourism
KESAN’s Women Research Team in Action
26 March 2025 – Indigenous Karen women possess valuable knowledge about various species that differs from the perspectives of men, yet their insights are often overlooked. Women play a crucial role in mobilizing the community and sharing important information. They are primarily responsible for nurturing children…
Community mobilization to enhance wildlife and forest conservation in the Salween Basin
From January 20 to 27, 2025, the Karen Forestry Department (KFD), in collaboration with Mutraw border affair committee, Community Forest Rangers, and Karen National Police Force (KNPF), conducted a series of community meetings in 11 different locations along the Salween River, Thailand – the Salween Peace…
Environmental and Cultural Exchange Camp
A Shared Vision and Commitment toward Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Preservation January 14-16, 2025 With concerted effort and coordination between the Salween Peace Park’s Governing Committee, the Mutraw District Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD), local communities and the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN),…
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The 20th Anniversary: A Pathway to Social and Environmental Justice
Feature documentary
Annual Report
Empowering Communities to Protect the Environment, while Securing their Lands, Livelihoods and Peace
