Local Karen communities live together with nature as their livelihoods rely on resources obtained from the natural environment. To maintain and protect the sustainability of these natural resources, local Karen people use customary knowledge and practices passed down from their ancestors.
The local people from Yaw Meh Klo Area, Karen State, held a Traditional Cooking Event on August 25th 2020. The cooking event focused on utilizing resources obtained from the local environment such as vegetables, fish, shrimp and livestock reared at home to strengthen the connection between their livelihoods, culture and the environment. This event will play an important role in reminding and teaching the youth about Karen traditional cooking techniques so they are prepared to pass these practices on to future generations.
We all know that the forest provides basic food needs, so that it is vital for us to protect and conserve it. However, some people still think that protecting and conserving natural resources and the forest is not our job – it is someone else’s job. Actually, it is everyone’s responsibility to do this.
The communities of Yaew Meh Klo have begun to protect and conserve the forest and natural resources in their areas. We should support and strengthen these community-based initiatives and activities.