Inviting Nature In: Laguna Phuket Creates Pocket Forests with SUGi

Since its establishment, which commenced with a seven-year rehabilitation journey from a tin mine to the integrated resort destination it is today, Laguna Phuket has remained committed to safeguarding its natural environment. Building upon this dedication, Laguna Phuket has now partnered with rewilding specialists from SUGi to reintroduce native wild species into the surrounding landscape. This visionary initiative begins with the creation of several planned 'pocket forests' within the destination, recognised as Asia's premier integrated resort, set against the stunning backdrop of the Andaman Sea. 

Under SUGi guidance, the Laguna Phuket team adopted a multi-faceted and multi-phase approach to rebuilding the symbiotic web of Phuket’s rainforest. Following the Miyawaki method of afforestation that mimics the way a forest would recolonise itself if humans stepped away, the team selected several secluded areas within Laguna Phuket with the goal of turning them into self-sustaining 'pocket forests' in a year’s time. 

To that end, the team selected 84 species of native trees based on a survey of the last remaining virgin rainforest Khao Phra Thaew, focusing on those that would occur naturally in that particular area without humans, to build a site that is more responsive to climate change. During the recently completed first phase, a total of 7,500 saplings across Open Kitchen and Veya Grove were planted with the help of children from the neighbourhood and Laguna Phuket Kindergarten who had the chance to learn about local ecosystems as part of Laguna Phuket’s commitment to inspire the next generation to become stewards of the planet.  

Quick to establish and maintenance-free after the first two-to-three years, Miyawaki forests grow ten times faster and are thirty times as dense as alternative reforestation solutions, providing a greater amount of forage for pollinators, a refuge for birds, and a cool home for insects. 

Laguna Phuket has been focused on creating public green spaces, including parks, meditation paths, mazes, and the newly rebranded SEED organic farm as part of its commitment to developing sustainable communities. 

Given space and time to thrive, the Open Kitchen and Veya Grove plots at Laguna Phuket will become biodiversity hotspots as well as serve as a blueprint for the Banyan Tree Group’s future reforestation initiatives in partnership with SUGi. By implementing a dynamic, innovative approach that benefits both the local community and visitors, the two parties hope that the resulting tranquil sanctuary will help promote interaction between people and nature. 

Joining the ranks of Laguna Phuket's existing sustainability initiatives, the new partnership with SUGi offers a viable means to regenerate an indigenous ecosystem, benefiting human and planetary health. This win-win solution for both people and nature bring the Banyan Tree Group one step closer to achieving sustainable development goals while promoting ecosystem restoration with increased biodiversity.