In the forests of Mae E-Laeb Village, Pai District, nature is not protected by law alone.
It is protected by faith, by belief, and by traditions passed down through generations.
For the Lisu people, the forest is more than a source of food or materials.
It is a sacred living world, filled with spirit and meaning.
Before entering the forest, people must speak, must ask permission, and must enter with respect.
The Idama Lua ritual is not only a ceremony.
It is a living system of conservation—protecting the soil, the water, and the forest itself.
It is also a space of learning, where elders pass on their wisdom,
and where youth learn their responsibility to care for nature.
Today, Mae E-Laeb still has forests.
It still has clean water.
It still has food security.
And it still has peace.
Because here, conservation is not just an action.
It is a way of life.
Credit: IMPECT
