Greater Mekong Promoting Sustainable Forestry

A Switch to Sustainable Rattan
In the past 30 years, rattan has become an essential product in the Non-Timber-Forest-Product industry (NTFP).
Unfortunately, unsustainable harvest of rattan leads to forest degradation and affects overall forest ecosystem services. The use of toxic chemicals and petrol in the processing of rattan affects not only soil, air and water resources, but also people?s health. This conventional way of rattan production is threatening the supply and the income of the workers. Therefore, it is necessary to move towards more sustainable production and processing practices.

Communities and companies in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are working with WWF to demonstrate a viable and sustainable forest management model. The objective of the WWF Sustainable Rattan-Program is credible forest certification (FSC ? Forest Stewardship Council) as well as establishing a green and sustainable production system together with the rattan industry and the people depending on it.