Many areas of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary’s forest have been degraded or cleared outrightly as a result of the illegal activities. To help cope with the issue, USAID Morodok Baitang and conservation partner Wildlife Conservation Society organized a series of events in June that culminated in the planting of over 26,600 seedlings on 21 hectares of land. A total of 278 people (75 women), including the government officials, local authorities, communities, and indigenous people, participated in these events. Local communities played the most significant role by providing labor for land preparation, planting, and ongoing care of the seedling once in the ground. 

These restoration activities were done as part of a Reforestation Project that was initiated as part of the Keo Seima REDD+ Project. The aim of the activity is to restore or enhance forest cover on 1,000 hectares of land and to educate local communities living in and around Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary on the importance of long-term protection for the forests, their livelihoods and REDD+ success.