Since 1987, there have been political and environmental controversies regarding the Plow Karen ethnic group. Conservation organizations and state agencies have rigidly described and perceived this minority group, based on concepts of biodiversity and anthropocentrism for being unable to maintain a forest life. This perception has transpired due to ways that this ethnic group has seemingly interacted with and operated forests over many years. This notion ultimately set back this group to be of a subaltern status. For the past thirty years however, the ethnic group has attempted to create a hybrid representation by combining the description provided by external organizations with their own subjective account of elements pertaining to forest life. This has thus enabled them to negotiate politically in regard to their forest life operations and representation.
 
From the research, it was revealed that forest life to Plow Karen r symbolizes their communication with surrounding animals, plants and objects. The group’s interaction and cosmology are believed to provide life to all things in the forest. On a separate note, the researcher inquired whether or not the ethnic group could voice their political thoughts regarding the conservation of biodiversity in their subaltern status. It appears that the ethnic group decided to initially restore their identity and then introduce this new representation of their relationship with forest life to the outsiders.