The Pgaz K’Nyau Karen community in Thailand's highlands relies on sacred forests and traditional farming to maintain their cultural identity and ecological balance. Their animist beliefs dictate a deep connection with nature, where rituals govern resource use. However, pressures from modernization and exclusionary conservation policies threaten these practices, undermining food security and ecosystem integrity. The community's unique land management, including the umbilical cord forest, showcases their spiritual ties to the land. Yet, as fewer families engage in traditional rotational farming, the risk of losing valuable seed varieties and knowledge increases. Recent policy shifts, including the Ethnic Protection Bill, aim to recognize and protect Indigenous rights, but challenges remain in preserving their cultural heritage amidst external pressures.