Chiang Mai University’’s main campus lies at the foot of Doi Suthep, an area rich in biodiversity and an important watershed. The University is committed to conserving, restoring, and sustainably using this biodiversity. In line with its vision of “an innovative university with participation for sustainability” under the 13th Chiang Mai University Education Development Plan (2023-2027, revised for fiscal year 2027) and the 14th plan (2028 - 2032), the University advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 15 (Life on Land), together with Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
The University announces this policy on biodiversity management and conservation, including the identification, monitoring, and protection of species on the IUCN Red List.
Clause1. This announcement takes effect from the day after its announcement.
Clause2. The Chiang Mai University Announcement on Biodiversity Policy B.E.2566 (2023), dated 30 October 2023, is repealed.
Clause3. In this announcement, “at-risk species” means plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms that (1) are listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT) or Data Deficient (DD) ; (2) are reserved or conserved plants under the Plants Act B.E. 2518 (1975), or reserved, protected, or controlled wildlife under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act B.E2562 (2019) and its amendments; or (3) are listed in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in force.
Clause4. The University shall promote teaching, research, academic services and student affairs that conserve, restore and sustainably use biodiversity, including participatory research, innovation prototypes, and courses or field learning on conservation.
Clause5. The University shall promote the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including forests, mountains, watersheds, soils, agricultural land, wetlands, reservoirs, freshwater sources, wildlife and aquatic animals. Units responsible for sensitive areas, such as the foothills of Doi Suthep and the areas around reservoirs, shall prepare ecosystem maps using a geographic information system (GIS) within one year of this announcement taking effect.
Clause6. Inventory and monitoring of at-risk species. The Committee under Clause13, together with the relevant academic units and the units that manage the herbarium, museums and nature centres, shall: (1) prepare an inventory of at-risk species found in, or that may be affected by, the University’s operations within 180 days of this announcement taking effect, using the latest IUCN Red List, the CIRES appendices in force, Thai law, government data and the University’s reference specimens, and update the inventory once year; (2) monitor populations and habitats continuously, for example through field surveys, camera traps, molecular techniques and citizen science, record the results in a central database, and report once a year.
Clause7. Protection. (1) In University areas and in University operations, staff and students shall not hunt, collect, harm, possess, trade, or remove legally protected at-risk species without permission under the law, and shall not plant or keep at-risk plant species whose legal origin cannot be shown. (2) Collecting specimens of at-risk species for research or teaching requires permission under the law and must follow research ethics. (3) Any breach of the law or of this announcement, and any finding of rare at-risk species or important habitat, shall be reported to the Committee and , where appropriate, to the responsible authority under the law. (4) Precise locations of species at risk of hunting or collection shall be disclosed with care and treated as information exempt from disclosure under the Official Information Act B.E. 2540 (1997). (5) The University supports ex situ conservation, such as herbaria, museums, botanical gardens and gene banks, with permission under the law.
Clause8. The University shall monitor, assess and manage invasive alien species of plants and animals by preparing inventories and maps; preventing their import, planting or release into ecosystems; and controlling them with suitable and humane methods. The University shall also set guidelines for living with conflict, such as managing food waste and not feeding wildlife.
Clause9. Site development. Construction and renovation of buildings shall comply with the Building Control Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and its amendments and ministerial regulations, including the Ministerial Regulation on building types, sizes and design standards for energy conservation B.E. 2563 (2020) under the Energy Conservation Promotion Act B.E.2535 (1992); with Green Office environmental management under the Chiang Mai University Announcement on Environmental and Energy Management Policy; and with the Thai Green Building Institute. Before construction, land filling, landscaping, or cutting or moving large trees, the unit that owns the project shall survey and assess the impact on biodiversity both in University areas and in local areas that may be affected; avoid or reduce the impact; restore or compensate as appropriate; use native plant species; and obtain the approval of the Committee under Clause 13 before cutting or moving large trees.
Clause10. The University shall promote collaboration with organisations in Thailand and abroad, such as the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiative of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG); the Royal Project Foundation; local administrative organisations; communities; and academic institutions, using existing mechanisms such as the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU) and the Doi Suthep Nature Center.
Clause11. The University shall promote value creation and innovation from biodiversity through multidisciplinary work, including a creative economy based on Lanna local wisdom, without harming conservation. Access to biological resources and local wisdom requires permission under the law, the prior informed consent of the owners or custodians, and fair benefit sharing under the laws or regulations on access and benefit sharing.
Clause12. The University shall continuously raise awareness among students, faculty, and staff of the conservation of natural resources, the environment, and local wisdom.
Clause13. The President shall appoint a Committee for Driving the Biodiversity and Natural Resources Policy to oversee, monitor, and advise on policy, approve the cutting or moving of large trees under Clause9, and report on implementation. The Committee shall review this announcement at least every three years.
Clause14. University units shall comply with this announcement, include related activities in their annual action plans, and report results to the Committee. The Committee shall submit an annual report to the President within 90 days of the fiscal year and publish a summary on the University website. Location data shall be published in accordance with Clause 7(4).
Clause15. The President shall have charge and control of this announcement and may issue guidelines to implement it.