Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Case Studies of Forest Landscape Management from the Mountains to the Sea

Home , Buriram Province, Mae Fa Luang District, Royal Thai Armed Forces

Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Case studies of forest landscape management from the mountains to the sea

International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, was founded in 1948 with the cooperation of various states, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. IUCN now has more than 1,000 member organizations in 158 countries around the world.

IUCN influences, encourages and assists societies around the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature, and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. Through its strong networks of members and supporters, IUCN builds capacity and supports collaboration to conserve nature at all levels from the local to the global.

IUCN’s members in Thailand comprise five of the country’s leading nature conservation and environmental organizations. They are: the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; the Thailand Environ- ment Institute; the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation; RECOFTC – The Centre for People and Forests; and the Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Institute. Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Case studies of forest landscape management from the mountains to the sea The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The views expressed in this publication do not necessary reflect those of IUCN.

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Citation IUCN (2011) Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR): Case studies of forest landscape management from the mountains to the sea. International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bangkok, Thailand.

Compilers Radda Larpnun, Sasin Chalermlarp, Benjamas Chotthong and Tawatchai Rattanasorn Cover photos © IUCN-TH/ Sayan CHEUNUDOMSAVAD ISBN 978-2-8317-1305-2 Layout by Siriporn Pornsiritived Produced by IUCN Thailand Programme Available from IUCN Thailand Programme 63 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel +66 2 662 4029 Fax +66 2 662 4387 www.iucn.org/thailand

This book is printed on ecological paper Contents

Introduction

Forest landscape restoration (FLR) 8

Six case studies of forest landscape management

• The Tenasserim Corridor Initiative for Biodiversity 10 Conservation Kantinan Peawsa-ad, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

• Ban Santikiri Reforestation Project, Doi Mae Salong, 12 in honour of the 80th Birthday Anniversary of H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters

• Decentralization of Power and Governance in Forest 15 Landscape Management: The Case of the Mae Ta River Basin, Chiang Mai Surin Onprom and Somying Soonthornwong, RECOFTC

• Landscape Management by the Khao Lek community, 19 Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park Panudej Kerdmali and Suchai Horadee, Seub Nakhasathien Foundation

• Joint Management of Angkarn Mountain…the Legend 22 of the Volcano Thongchan Homnetra and Sirichai Sae Lim, Thailand Environment Institute

• Rehabilitating Ecosystems from the Mountains to the Sea: 25 The Kuraburi and Kapur Watersheds Somsak Soonthornnawaphat, IUCN

Comparative analysis of forest landscape management patterns 29 among 6 cases

Conclusions and recommendations 44

Annex 46 Introduction

hailand has a long experience in forest conservation, restoration and management. Over the past three decades, many organizations – government agencies, businesses, community-based groupsT and international organizations – have worked to protect and manage forests of all types in national reserved forests, national parks, wildlife conservation areas and other landscapes across the country.

Over time, the concept of forest landscape management has evolved and expanded from government-led reforestation and management to include the participation of many different stakeholders, in particular forest-dependent communities. This book presents successful cases of forest landscape management supported by IUCN’s five members in Thailand:

• Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) • Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) • Seub Nakhasathien Foundation • RECOFTC – The Centre for People and Forests • Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Institute (GSEI).

On 21 December 2009, these members organized a national seminar in Bangkok, Thailand, to share their experiences in forest landscape restoration and management. Six case studies were presented at the seminar:

1. The Tenasserim Corridor Initiative (DNP) 2. Ban Santikiri Reforestation Project, Doi Mae Salong (Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters) 3. Mae Ta River Basin Community Forest Management (RECOFTC and partners) 4. Khao Lek Community Landscape Management, Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park (Seub Nakhasathien Foundation) 5. Angkarn Mountain Forest Management (TEI) 6. Ecosystem Rehabilitation through Community Participation (IUCN)

During the seminar, the members were able to review and collect feedback on concepts, experiences, knowledge and techniques in forest landscape restoration in Thailand. The case studies from the seminar, together with the conclusions and recommendations based on this feedback, are presented in this book to support the development and application of FLR approaches in Thailand and regionally in Asia. © Seub Nakhasathien Foundation/ เอกวิทย์ เตระดิษฐ์ Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR)1

Forest landscape restoration was first defined in 2001 as “a process that aims to regain ecological integrity and enhance human well-being in deforested or degraded forest landscapes”.

The key element of FLR is its focus on managing the dynamic and often complex interactions between the people, natural resources and land uses making up a landscape. It uses collaborative approaches to harmonize the many separate land-use decisions of stakeholders, with the aim of restoring ecological integrity and enhancing the development of local communities and national economies.

1 This section is based on Maginnis, S., Rietbergen-McCracken, J. and Jackson, W. (2007) Introduction. In: Rietbergen-McCracken, J., Maginnis, S. and Sarre, A. (eds), The Forest Landscape Restoration Handbook. Earthscan Publications, London.

8 In many ways, FLR is an alternative to • It is a collaborative process involving top-down, expert-driven land-use plan- a wide range of stakeholder groups ning, providing a means to reflect soci- collectively deciding on the most etal choices by applying the principles technically appropriate and socio- of the ecosystem approach.2 economically acceptable options for restoration. FLR differs from conventional restoration approaches in several ways: • It does not necessarily aim to return forest landscapes to their original • It takes a landscape-level view. state. Rather, it is a forward-looking This does not mean that every FLR approach that aims to strengthen initiative must be large-scale or ex- the resilience of forest landscapes pensive; rather, that site-level res- and keep open future options for toration decisions need to include optimizing the delivery of forest- landscape-level objectives and take related goods and services at the into account likely landscape-level landscape level. impacts. • It can be applied not only in primary • It operates on the “double filter” forests but also to secondary forests, principle. Restoration efforts need forest lands and even agricultural to foster both improved ecological land. integrity and enhanced human well- being at the landscape level.

2 The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way. See: http://www.cbd.int/ecosystem/.

9 Six Case Studies of Forest Landscape Management

1. The Tenasserim Corridor Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation3

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Con- servation carried out this initiative with the goal of protecting the ecosystems with potential for creating a biodiversity conservation corridor, and facilitating the movement of forest species, as well as improving the livelihoods of communities in targeted areas and encouraging their participation in sustainable natural resources management. The areas in the Tenasserim Corridor Initiative connect Thailand’s Western forest complex and the Kaeng Krachan forest complex, covering a distance of about 75 kilometres along the Thai– Myanmar border. These are rich in forest resources and are hence suitable for a transboundary corridor. The long-term goal of this project is to conserve the largest remaining forest reserves in mainland Southeast Asia.

3 Kantinan Peawsa-ad (2009) Biodiversity Conservation Corridor in Greater Mekong Sub-region. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok

10 Participatory forest landscape restoration biodiversity conservation fund and sus- requires good economic and social data tainable natural resource use. as a basis for analyzing and developing a Village Investment Plan and alterna- Apart from that, community awareness tive vocations for communities that are and participation are promoted through both environmentally friendly and less public outreach, creating understanding dependent on forests. With the support at village meetings, and training on of this project, tree nurseries were es- community forest benefits and manage- tablished and local wild seedling and ment to encourage sustainable natural sowing equipment provided. Members resource use and conservation. of the communities are responsible for caring for the young plants, which will Another crucial activity is to build the be sold to the project for planting activi- capacity of all stakeholders in targeted ties. Additionally, the cultivation of herbal areas, such as officials, community plants and fast-growing trees is en- leaders, members of Tambon Adminis- couraged by hiring villagers to prepare tration Organizations (TAOs), and teach- planting areas and build check dams to ers. This includes organizing training on maintain water availability. Community community forest management for rep- activities are promoted through small resentatives of targeted communities grants. To receive the funding, members and field visits to other community- for must submit project proposals that have ests, bamboo forests and agro-forestry been developed and brainstormed with plots, together with developing a cur- other relevant stakeholders such as the riculum for sustainable natural resource community, academicians and experts. management and conservation, moni- This ensures that the needs of the toring of the state of forest and wildlife villages and the concept of sustainable resources, and community participation natural resource conservation are ana- in ecosystem evaluation. lyzed and incorporated. The project supports giving advice for effective fund management in compliance with the objectives of the Tenasserim corridor

11 2. Ban Santikiri Reforestation Project, Doi Mae Salong, in honour of the 80th Birthday Anniversary of H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej4

© พลตรีฉลวย แย้มโพธิ์ใช้ he 3rd Regional Development Office of the Armed Forces Development Command began work in T Ban Santikiri, Mae Salong Nok sub-district, Mae Fa Luang district, Chiang Rai province in April 2007 to reforest an area of 1,440 hectares. The project runs to 2020. Planting will account for five of these 14 years, forest maintenance and protection for the remaining nine. The goal is to cultivate and protect balanced and sustainable upstream forests beneficial to development in other sectors.

The project started with a seminar between participating agencies, people in the areas and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The Joint Patrol Committee was established to further the project’s goals. Villagers from 8 villages in target areas approved the creation of eight sectoral committees: population, land use, reforestation, soil quality restoration, water management, vocational promotion, education and health. The role of these committees is to restore and conserve upstream forests in Ban Santikiri and adjacent areas covering 1,440 hectares so that they become quality wood lots. The Royal Thai Armed Forces requested permission to use an area of 2,400 hectares for this project from the Royal Forest Department, covering a total of seven target

4 Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters (2009) Santikiri Reforestation, Doi Mae Salong, on the occasion of the 80th birthday anniversary of H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Depart- ment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok.

12 areas. This initiative also supports the household consumption, village planning, effective prevention and mitigation of income promotion through fruit farming, social and drug problems. vegetation, husbandry and tourism in coordination with the Provincial Depart- Public participation in planting and ment of Tourism and Sports in Chiang maintaining the forest has created Rai, community tourism leaders in Mae awareness for forests and environ- Salong Nok, and Agricultural Tourism mental conservation as well as income Networks. The project also arranges for generation in three areas from 2007 the building of concrete roads between to 2009. These are: (1) Ban Anglor/ villages, installation of electricity, and Ban Lojangson, Mae Salong Nok sub- community radio. district, Mae Fa Luang district (2) Ban Hego/Ban Loryo, Patung sub-district, The concept and strategy for forest con- Mae Chan district (3) the village behind servation has highlighted the importance Ban Santikiri school. Based on the Suffi- of a wildlife sanctuary covering more ciency Economy concept, this initiative, than 4,045 hectares from the temple together with the Ban Nayu (Liveable of Prabaromathat Chedi Srinakarindra Home) project, community forest project, Satismahasantikiri to the Myanmar bor- and 3 Forests/4 Benefits projects, im- der, with boundary lines, awareness rais- proves livelihoods and the environment of ing signs, and public communication on forest-dependent people. Further, the good practices in wildlife sanctuaries. project organizes training, study visits, The conservation project was dedicated irrigation systems for agricultural and to H.R.H. Somdej Phra Sri Nakarindra

13 Boromarajjonnani. The 3rd Army Area bamboo, mango, jackfruit, guava) under was invited to carry out the reforestation the project, Planting Trees in Students’ and conservation incorporated into an Minds, to foster natural conservation upstream reforestation development consciousness for students, their guar- plan. Moreover, there is a reforestation dians, and community members. project in honour of H. M. the King under the concept of Home, Temple and School. In this respect, Home is the dditionally, regular research is community forest and thatch is grown carried out biodiversity in coo- in Mae Fa Luang district by all Tambon A peration with IUCN and the Administrative Organizations and agen- Forest Restoration Research Unit of cies in the district. Temple is the insight Chiang Mai University. The project also meditation in forests and gardens, and joins with the Chiang Rai Land Devel- involves economically sustainable plants, opment Department for soil and water fruit trees, and thatch grown in Santi conservation, rehabilitation of areas at Dharma Abbey, Kru Ba Boonchum Ab- risk from landslides covering 256 hect- bey and Wat Santikiri, and later devel- ares, plantations based on people’s oped into a Buddhism and reforestation needs, and reduced burning of agri- project piloted by Santikiri Abbey. cultural lands covering 960 hectares School is the nursery grounds in which all to mitigate global warming. plant species are bred. Trees are planted around the schools in cooperation with Mae Salong Educational Develop- ment Network comprising seven with 2,200 students in all. Each student pro- vides five types of fruit trees (banana,

14 3. Decentralization of Power and Governance in Forest Landscape Management: The Case of the Mae Ta River Basin, Chiang Mai5

his initiative in the Mae Ta community forest in Mae On district, T Chiang Mai province (part of the upstream Mae Ta river basin), involves Mae Ta TAO, Mae Ta Nature Networks, the Institute of Mae Ta Resource Devel- opment and Sustainable Agriculture – a district-level community organization – and various “mentoring” agencies. It has opened space for the people living in Mae Ta to collaborate in river basin © RECOFTC and landscape management, and to use natural resources in the basin with dignity and equality. It is also hoped that, servation and biodiversity protection. through advocacy and demonstration, Many forest areas have been declared community members and external protected forests, and people have agencies in charge of managing forest been prohibited from taking part in de- resources will accept the “community cision making on forest resource use. forest” concept. Several studies have pointed out that forest resource management under Since the end of forest concessions in such a model has had at least three Thailand in 1989, forest management adverse impacts: 1) natural resource en- has been directed at promoting con- croachment and inequality in resource

5 Surin Onprom and Somying Soonthornwong (2009) Decentralization of Power and Governance in Forest Landscape Management: the case of the Mae Ta River Basin in Chiang Mai. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok.

15 use; 2) local people’s lack of participation in forest resource management; and 3) degradation of forest resources and the environment.

Many articles in Thailand’s 1997 Consti- tution stipulate the rights and duties of people and local communities to coop- erate with the state in managing forest resources. The “locality” – meaning people, community-based organizations and local administration organizations – have legal rights and duties in forest resource management, conservation and use. The 2007 Constitution adds to the will of its predecessor, particularly with respect to the issues of community rights and devolution of power to local administration organizations. It has been adjusted, however, to conform more to the reality in Thai society. A summary of the rights, duties and roles of the locality © RECOFTC as specified in the relevant laws will be elaborated here.

In 1993, Mae Ta sub-district initiated Ta lacked access to water for rice farm- “community forest” management. The ing and other agricultural pursuits, the District Council established a District village leaders considered these the Forest Committee, adopted forest consequences of deforestation. Without management rules and regulations at forest resource restoration, the com- the district level, and supported Com- munity may have had to deal with more munity Forest Committees at the village serious problems. In addition, the Royal level, allocating zones of responsibility Forest Department (then) planned to and approval for forest use in village declare the forests in the upstream Mae community forests. As the area faced Ta river basin as the Mae Ta Krai Na- drought and over half of villagers in Mae tional Park. Most of these areas overlap

16 entirely prohibited so that mature trees can retain water and humidity. However, Since the end of permission is granted for collecting non- forest concessions in timber products in these areas, as it is Thailand in 1989, forest in community forest areas. management has been Mae Ta community leaders have orga- directed at promoting nized the “Mae Ta Sub-district Natural conservation and Resource Management Network”, which biodiversity protection. has a similar structure to that of district forest committees, and is a platform for Many forest areas have exchange and learning between different been declared protected village community forest committees. forests, and people This further promotes community forest management at the district level, have been prohibited as well as national community forest from taking part in policy collaboration with other NGOs. decision making on Currently, network administration and management are in the form of joint forest resource use. committees comprising 21 members: two representatives from each village community forest committee, and one member from each Tambon (sub-district) Administration Organization, from seven villages. The mechanisms for cre- with forests used by communities in ating learning and shared goals for soil, Mae Ta for collecting non-timber forest water and forest management in Mae products and other purposes.. Ta are developed through diverse activities and projects, such as planting trees The community forest management in farms sub-district forest boundary system of each village in Mae Ta sub- demarcation and mapping, forest patrol- district divides community forest areas ling, water spirit worshipping, and annual into a protected area and an area for meetings of the network. The collab- other consumption. Most of the pro- orative networking mechanisms at the tected area consists of upstream forests sub-district level are crucial in cultivating in which logging for household use is awareness of forest conservation

17 among community members and in The success of the people of Mae Ta in motivating the village community forest managing community forests comes from committees to fulfil their responsibilities. learning and implementing processes under local institutional mechanisms to deal with current challenges in the com- n 2005, the Mae Ta Sub-district munity. Community members, govern- Resource Management Network, ment agencies and the general public I in cooperation with the Agricultural accept a pattern and structure of local Network established the “Institute of Mae management that is dynamic, adaptive Ta Resource Development and Sustain- and responsive to various situations. In able Agriculture” to promote synergy 2007, the Mae Ta TAO, with support and linking of “forest” and “agriculture.” from mentoring organizations such as The Institute has taken the leading role in RECOFTC and the Union for Civil Liberty, developing a Five-year Mae Ta Com- took the policy opportunity that opened munity Strategic Plan in collaboration for the “locality” to be entitled to rights, with the Mae Ta TAO. Mr Kanoksak authority, and duties in natural resource Duangkaewruen, Chief Executive of the and environmental management as TAO, states in the document that “… stipulated in the Thai Constitution of the sub-district plan is the strategic and 1997, the Decentralisation Act of 1999, operational plan of the community, not and the Tambon Council and Tambon the TAO…” Moreover, with the focus Administrative Organization Act of 1994 also on the welfare of Community Forest and its fifth amendment of 2003. The Committees both at the village and sub- TAO used information collected in the district levels, who patrol and control community to draft the “Mae Ta sub- the use of community forests, the Net- district law on community forest man- work established the “Community For- agement 2007” with the agreement est Management Fund” in 2007 with of the Mae Ta Tambon Administration seed funding from RECOFTC. Council. The draft was eventually authorized and is being implemented.

18 4. Landscape Management by Khao Lek Community, Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park6

halerm Rattanakosin National Park, previously known as Tham Than Lod National Park, covers 5,900 hectares in Srisawat district, Kan- C chanaburi province. Though not a large area, the remaining forest is rich and has several well-known tourist destinations such as Than Lod waterfall and cave. Living at Ban Khao Lek in the northern part of the park is a Pwo Karen indigenous community of 98 households and 521 members. In line with Karen culture and traditions, the community depends on swidden agriculture.

Conflict resolution and participatory natural resource management materialized under the Memorandum of Cooperation for a participatory protected area management project signed by DNP and the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation on 19 April 2008. This Joint Management of Protected Areas (JoMPA) project is a product of an agreement between the Thai government and the Danish government. There are 4 sub-projects under JoMPA:

6 Panudej Kerdmali and Suchai Horadee (2009) Community and NGO Participation in Management of Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok

19 Land use boundary setting shares similar operational framework with the Cabinet Resolution on 30 June 1998, specifying the boundary control and conditions of sustainable land use to minimize the impact on natural resources and the environment.

1) Setting up of a database on pro- natural resource conservation and res- tected area management, such as land toration, together with other activities boundary demarcation, with the partici- such as health care and cultural events pation of community, state, and other aimed at supporting community life. stakeholders. This demarcation should be accepted by all involved parties. The 3) Support for development of sufficiency boundary mapping is used for land plan economy approaches by encouraging development to identify the land uses self-sufficient ways of living, reductions for different activities as well as com- in spending, and extra income genera- munity forest. There is a joint agree- tion without negative impacts on eco- ment for land use and flexibility which systems. the community and the officers of the National Park/Wildlife Conservation 4) Support for the work of protected Area agree to honour and uphold. area committees so that they and their advisors can fully and continuously im- 2) Capacity building for community plement the activities according to their leaders to strengthen village commit- roles and missions. tees, networks and collaboration for

20 Given the increased human settlement • The survey focuses on the forest in the area, it is almost impossible to re- buffer zone to protect the large for- locate the community to other locations. est areas first, otherwise this could Also, the concept of people’s relocation potentially lead to delay and irrepa- cannot be used as a tool to solve con- rable damage of important forest flicts. Most of the time it leads to failed resources. management in both areas because the new land is not as appropriate for • The mechanism of land use infor- agriculture as the previous settlement. mation survey with the participation The community then moves back to of community and officers in pro- the old area. Apart from that, the pur- tected area is established. It is nec- chase and sales of land have raised the essary that the community obtains land price and hence new forests are current information on its own area encroached. and jointly considers other principles with government officials so that the Land use boundary setting shares a outcome is mutually acceptable. similar operational framework to the Cabinet Resolution of 30 June 1998, • An operational procedure is set up specifying the boundary control and in which the heads of conservation conditions of sustainable land use to areas delegate the roles to officers in minimize the impact on natural resourc- different protected units to take part es and the environment. The basic prin- in brainstorming and conducting ac- ciples of this are: tivities such as surveying and basic information analysis along with the • The survey of community land use community. boundary does not aim at issuing ownership deeds for any individuals, • Restructuring the operational pro- but at obtaining accurate informa- cedures of protected areas to rec- tion for appropriate management ognize the community in their areas depending on the status andcondi- and facilitate collaboration with the tion of each area. community.

21 © TEI

5. Joint Management of Angkarn Mountain…the Legend of the Volcano7

ngkarn Mountain is a small extinct volcano in Nan- grong, Chalermprakiet and Lahansai districts of A Buriram province. It was previously known as Pra Angkarn Mountain or Floating Mountain, and is shaped like a garuda. The head is situated at Lube Mountain (Thavorn sub- district) and the body is covered with old shrines. The right wing extends to the west (Takudtala village, Nongsai sub- district) and the left to the east (Charoen village, Charoen- suk sub-district). Its tail is the hill above Swaisor village (Th- anonhak sub-district). The legend of the volcano centres on the Pra Angkarn relics surrounding the model of Buddha’s footprint and eight pairs of laterite semas (boundary stones), thought have been erected between 897 and 1207 in the Dvaravati period. In 1928, a temple and pavilion for Bud- dha’s footprint were built in Charoensuk village, the highest

7 Thongchan Homnetra and Sirichai Sae Lim (2009) Joint Management of Angkarn Mountain…the Legend of the Volcano. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok.

22 point of Angkarn Mountain at a height Forest management in Angkarn Moun- of 330 metres. The villagers called it tain is concentrated in Conservation “Graveyard Hill” because it used to be Zone C, an area of high hills with fertile a cemetery and cremation ground for forest, streams and some low-lying villagers living near the hill. Many ruins lands. Many villagers have settled in and and antiques can be found in the area. work their rice fields in this zone. The outer ring is the Degraded Forest Zone Angkarn Mountain was proclaimed the E. The villagers are granted permission Angkarn Mountain National Reserved to make use of this area for their liveli- Forest by Ministerial Regulation No. hoods. Yet there are many cases of land 383 in 1968, covering 4,429 hectares rights trading and encroachment into in Tapek sub-district, Nangrong district, Zone C, mostly in Sadao sub-district Thavorn sub-district and Lahansai dis- and Nongsai sub-district. Also, the mill- trict. An area of 1,092 hectares in the ing factory has been given concession economic forest zone (Zone E) was to use some areas. Many government transferred to the Agricultural Land agencies have an interest in both zones Reform Office in 1993. Later on, the of Angkarn Mountain forests, but most community extended its farming areas are situated outside the area at some closer to the conservation zone (Zone C). distance, and are unable to manage lo- In 2007 and 2008, an assessment of the cal needs effectively. Proactive problem natural resources and environment of solving is still a challenge. The district Zone C in Buriram province found that administrations of Nangrong, Lahansai only 2,400 hectares of conservation and Chalermprakiet must strictly moni- area remained. tor and regulate the issue of land encroachment, logging, forest fires and The surrounding communities of Ang- unregulated wild products collection, karn Mountain depend greatly on non- as well as unclear forest boundaries. timber products collection throughout the year, especially in June to Septem- To conserve and restore Angkarn ber which is the season for various kinds Mountain forests, different parties have of popular edible mushrooms such as worked together to consolidate their truffles, termite mushrooms and bolete, own missions towards the same goal. as well as other plants such as krajiew It is recognized that networks and local flowers, flowers of Aeginetia peduncu- communities must take the lead and lata, ee nuun, red ant eggs, vegetables, other agencies provide support to the and other wild products. leaders. Activities include meetings,

23 training, field visits, support for commu- area zoning between sub-districts for nity activities such as monitoring, bio- common standards and regulations in diversity surveys, tourism development “community forest” management. surveys, and so on. The concerned parties are TEI, the Population and 3) incorporating knowledge about Ang- Community Development Association karn Mountain into internal and external (PDA), the Buriram Provincial Office of learning for the community, teachers, Natural Resources and Environment, the and students around the forest through Forest Resource Management Office curriculum development, setting up of in Nakhon Ratchasima province, the local learning units, and a sufficiency Tourism Authority of Thailand, local and economy learning centre. provincial administrative organisations, the military, and students and professors 4) integrated planning and cooperation from the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart among state agencies, local adminis- University. trative organizations and the local community, as well as increasing the diver- The main development processes at sity of channels for public relations. Angkarn Mountain are: 5) capacity building of networks and 1) developing a knowledge base in for- local organizations, together with extra est management for local people by ex- income-generating activities such as amining the biodiversity with economic tourism, added value from forest (con- value around forest boundaries and servation), marketing of forests herbs, promoting the livelihoods of people in and so on. communities. 6) Regulations on forest use such as 2) considering the rights in joint re- wild products collection, preservation source management between different of religious sites, tourism, land owner- areas such as shared conservation ap- ship, and so on. proach, measurement and responsible

24 6. Rehabilitating Ecosystems from the Mountains to the Sea: The Kuraburi and Kapur Watersheds8

a Kua Pa and Kuraburi districts in Phang Nga province, and Suksamran and Kapur districts in T Ranong province, are among Thailand’s most fertile sources of natural resources with a rich forest ecosystem and mountains supplying water to many rivers, beach forests, peat swamp forests, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and important seagrass beds. These provide habitats for many rare wild and aquatic animals such as sea turtles, dugongs, bald-headed coots, Malaysian plovers, and so on. In the past, the forest areas of these districts were granted for tin mining concessions, logging concessions,

8 Somsak Soonthornnawaphat (2009) Ecosystem Recovery from Mountain to Ocean with Participation of Local Organizations: the case study of Kuraburi and Kapur Watershed, Phang-Nga and Ranong provinces. Pre- pared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok

25 and, in mangrove forests, charcoal concessions. Most remaining forests and mountain areas are contained within National Parks, Wildlife Conservation Areas and National Reserved Forests, for example Sri Phang-Nga National Park and Klong Naka Wildlife Conser- vation Area. These connect to forest areas in Surat Thani and Ranong provinces such as Klong Yan Wildlife Con- servation Area, Kaeng Krung National Park and Khuan Maeyai Mon Wildlife Conservation Area. Most of the remaining mangrove forests are in Kapur Bay National Reserved Forest. Part of the mangrove forests in Kapur district was declared an internationally recognized wetlands in 2002 in recognition of its biodiversity value.

Resource management and conservation of such a diversity of ecosystems © IUCN-TH requires attention because they are inter-related and mutually supportive. For instance, deforestation in upstream Activities under the project “Applying areas results in soil erosion and sedi- ecology and socio-economic elements mentation of downstream land, rivers in restoring coastal ecosystems and and seagrass beds. Natural resource conserving tsunami-affected areas of conservation and management from countries in the Indian Ocean” target the mountain to the sea with the par- Kuraburi and Kapur watersheds, and ticipation of community organizations are divided into three implementation – also known as the “ridge-to-reef” ap- phases: proach – has been developed through experience gained from working in the First phase is to compile information and field, particularly in Ta Kua Pa, Kuraburi, conduct thematic assessments such Phang Nga and Suksamran. as socio-economic and biodiversity

26 community and provincial levels, as well as incorporating existing village, district The rare and endemic and provincial plans and strategies, water onion, or Plub so that the final products are realistic, responsive to community needs and Plung Tharn, found only complementary. There is a joint analy- in Suksamran district, sis of the expertise of each community has long been protected organization to identify the best way to involve them in implementing activities. by the local community. At present, local people Third phase is the implementation of use the plant to attract activities in line with the plans that have been developed, the expertise of each tourists, organising implementing organization, and the popular rafting trips to conditions in each area. All stakeholders enjoy flowering Plub – government agencies, NGOs and Plung Tharn in its community-based organizations – are responsible for their own areas and natural habitat. expertise with joint regular exchange of learning and progress monitoring of the project.

The conservation and restoration of areas surrounding the conservation zone assessments. Both new and existing need to be handled delicately. To ensure information are collected by experts and the project is accepted by the commu- project officers together with the nity, different approaches are sought to community. This information is presented facilitate the community’s participation and exchanged with people in the area in conserving and managing soil, water and related government agencies for and forest resources based on the prin- joint synthesis. ciple that “people can sustainably live with forests.” The concept of commer- Second phase is activity planning with cial monoculture has been changed to the community and related government integrated agriculture in upstream areas, agencies through consultation at the comprising timber trees, fruit trees, oth-

27 er plants such as vegetables and herbs, the lead in protecting its own resources, organic farm products, and soil and and in sharing its knowledge with other water conservation to mitigate soil ero- communities or relevant government sion. Eco-friendly career development a agencies so they understand the state nd eco-tourism are merged into efforts of the resources and management ap- to improve the local quality of life. proaches required, should be supported with awareness campaigns to build positive attitudes and encourage par- he Mae Nangkhaow Mountain ticipation in conserving and managing Conservation Network in Kura- rare and endangered resources locally. Tburi district, led by the village Also, policy approaches to management conservation groups of Tungrak, Bang- and conservation should be developed dip and Naitui, is an attempt to mobilize at local and national levels. Moreover, village leaders in the quest to conserve other methods can be used in support Mae Nangkhaow Mountain, the largest of conservation work, for instance dis- contiguous forest in the national re- seminating targeted information to deci- served forest in this area. The villages sion makers, and using print, television have together formed Mae Nangkhaow and other media to promote the con- Mountain Conservation Network and are servation of sssrare wild fauna and flora. managing to plan and conduct conservation activities effectively.

The rare and endemic water onion, or Plub Plung Tharn, found only in Suk- samran district, has long been protected by the local community. At present, local people use the plant to attract tourists, organising popular rafting trips to enjoy flowering Plub Plung Tharn in its natural habitat. The community’s efforts take

28 Comparison of forest landscape management patterns in the case studies

orest landscape restoration aims to restore F the fertility of ecosystems and improve the livelihoods of people living in degraded forest landscapes. This is reflected in all six case studies, in which local participation and strategic management focuson conventional reforeta- tion patterns and the needs of local societies. Mutual learning processes have also been established to address the recovery of ecosystems and forest characteristics. The comparative summary is elaborated in Table 1.

29 Table 1 Comparison ofthe six case studies

Character- Management process Case study Target Parties istics and related laws

Tenasserim To create Reserved • DNP Promoting livelihoods Corridor a forest forest • Sirindhorn with less reliance on Initiative corridor in surrounding Natural Park forests, establishment important communities • H. M. Queen of conservation funds, biodiversity in corridor Sirikit Forest reforestation, dam areas Tree species construction, support extending Study Centre for community forest 75 • Institute of regulations in kilometres Population community forest and Social setting (Royal Forest Research, Department) Mahidol University • RECOFTC

Ban Santikiri To restore Reserved • Royal Thai Participatory reforesta- Reforestation upstream forest Armed Forces tion and vocational forest and converted Headquarters promotion with forest lessen into unused • About 10 local conservation strategy natural farm land and external use of reserved forest disaster and mon- organizations area risks oculture • IUCN areas

Mae Ta To create Reserved • Mae Ta Forest management Community mechanisms forest on community learning for setting Forest for managing which the and Tambon up of organization community community Administrative and fund – Tambon forest instead traditionally Organization regulations in of changing relies and community forest its status to a which management national park government The Thai Constitution plans to article 67 Tambon proclaim a regulations national park

30 Character- Management process Case study Target Parties istics and related laws

Khao Lek To mitigate Area used • DNP Survey of commu- Participatory community by traditional • Seub nity boundary and Landscape conflicts in commu- Nakhasathien vocational promotion Management conservation nity within Foundation – learning home- for area and boundaries Memorandum of prevent of National Agreements further forest Park Ministerial Resolution encroach- on 30 June 1998 ment National Park Bill article 19

Angkarn To foster Reserved • Five Local Participatory Mountain networks and forest that Administrative management plans mechanisms community Organizations and compilation of for com- relies on for around information among munity forest wild prod- Angkarn networks The role use and ucts but is Mountain of government conservation not actively • TEI agencies in resource managed • other local use control organizations

Kuraburi To foster Two river • IUCN Identifying and Kapur networks and basins • Local community leaders to Watersheds mechanisms classified in community build a comprehensive for natural parts as and conserva- natural resource resource national tion groups conservation network conserva- parks, tion from the reserved mountains to forests, the sea mangrove forests and agricultural areas

31 In comparison of these 6 case studies based on the consideration of legal status of Thailand, the forest landscape management can be cat- egorized into 3 groups. These can be basis for pattern or example of management applied in other areas.

1. Forest landscape management in national reserved forest

© IUCN-TH/Sayan CHEUNUDOMSAVAD ase studies under this category are Tenasserim Corridor Initiative, Ban Santikiri Reforestation, C Mae Ta Watershed Community Forest Manage- ment, and Angkarn Mountain Forest Management. All four cases have distinct concepts, operational processes and tools.

Tenasserim Corridor Initiative and Ban Santikiri Reforestation were the initiatives of government agencies, namely DNP and the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, respective- ly. The Tenasserim Corridor Initiative emphasizes additional measures through joint project implementation with the community to promote community recognition for forests border- ing their livelihood grounds. Also key is the conservation of national forest reserves in the corridors of the Western forest complex in Kanchanaburi province and Kaeng Krachan forest complex. This has linked forests in Kanchanaburi, Ratch- aburi and Petchaburi provinces to preserve movement paths of wild animals by coordinating with conservation NGOs and central educational institutions such as RECOFTC and the Institute of Population and Social Research at Mahidol Uni-

32 versity. Together they have studied the roles in collaborating with target com- data and conducted activities for which munities and local organizations, as well the host agency – DNP – still lacks ex- as extending cooperation to relevant pertise and human resources. The Ban central and regional organizations. Santikiri project’s purpose is to restore degraded forest areas that have been The cases of Mae Ta community forest used for agriculture and to prevent and Angkarn Mountain forest manage- and mitigate natural disasters such as ment are the cases of forest landscape storms and landslides. The reforesta- management led by the civil sector. The tion areas were approved by the Royal case of the Mae Ta community forest is Forest Department at the request of based on the process of realizing their Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters rights in using community forest that and with collaboration of relevant local built on lessons learnt in conserving and external agencies. forests and developing knowledge base to prove the needs of forest conservation The mechanism for promoting partici- from the governmental sector. The area pation in conserving Tenasserim Corri- was declared a national park and forest dor is to encourage the establishment management networks embedded in of forest communities by proposing the each village covering the Mae Ta river survey areas to Royal Forest Depart- basin. It is widely accepted in society and ment. In the Ban Santikiri case, the area among external agencies. RECOFTC is was requested from the Royal Forest the main mentoring agency creating a Department by Royal Thai Armed Forc- visible management model that includes es Headquarters. Hence, it focuses on local wisdom in forest conservation into the strategy to foster community’s col- Mae Ta sub-district regulations for com- laboration and on the projects linking munity forest management (Table 2). with activities on the occasion of the 80th birthday anniversary of H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Both cases are good examples in which state sectors function and take lead

33 Table 2 Examples of Mae Ta sub-district regulations

A key summary of Mae Ta sub-district regulations on Maeta sub-district for Community Forest Management 2007

Chapter 1 General Provisions elaborate the purposes of establishing community forest from building community awareness, strengthening local organizations, maintaining environmental quality and conservation as well as fair and sustainable use of soil, water and forest resources.

Chapter 2 The Tambon Committee for Community Forest Network identi- fies the authority and role of the Tambon Community Forest Committee in order to support, collaborate and follow up on forest management works as well as the community forest committees at the village level. The Network Committee functions as “mentor” and conducts reporting at least once a year to be presented at the Council meeting of the Tambon Administration Organization.

Chapter 3 The Community Forest Committee at village level is composed of 15 to 25 members. Its responsibility is to coordinate for community forest resources conservation and management plan which includes determining the community forest borderline, zoning and developing forest use in community forest, together with managing village community forest funds. Progress reports on community forest must be submitted at village meetings and through the Tambon Committee for Community Forest Network.

Chapter 4 Rights and responsibility of community forest members in the village specify that the members join with the Community Forest Com- mittee in managing the community forests and entitle them to request for wood and other resources. They also have the responsibility to monitor the work of the Village Community Forest Committee and Tambon Committee for Community Forest Network.

Chapter 5 The Village Community Forest Fund was established to support the community forest management in villages as well as to provide welfare and income for Community Forest Committee and its members. The income is gained through the support of organizations and external agencies, Tambon Administration Organization, including fee collected from the regulation violators and community forest membership fees.

34 Furthermore, the core leader group in local resource management was upgraded into Institute of Resource Development and Sustainable Agriculture whereas Ang- karn Mountain is managed through the consolidation of the civil society sector to prevent forest encroachment. The villagers depend on the area for their livelihood. Initially it was built on the corporation mechanisms of five Tambon Administrative Organizations surrounding Angkarn Mountain (Diagram 1) to collaborate among relevant agencies, such as Department of Resources and Environment in Buriram province and three district authorities, namely Nangrong, Sahan and Chalermp- rakiet districts.

Diagram 1 Sustainable Conservation and Restoration Movement of Angkarn Mountain

Sustainable conservation and restoration of Angkarn Mountain

Check dams Students’ camps/ Tradition and construction to Ecotourism Reforestation hold water/ promotion activities cultural restore ecology for youth continuation

Education Community for- Network Angkarn biodiversity and est development strengthening mountain forest resource value (each Tambon) and capacity learning centers building

Survey/ Campaign/ conservation Government awareness forest border agencies’ raising for line and buffer collaboration people/ zone setting children - youth

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed among local Teachers’ network around Angkarn administration organizations surrounding Angkarn Mountain Mountain

Collaborative mechanisms and violators’ deterrence in Angkarn mountarin forest areas are developed so that that common resource grounds are maintained. The Thailand Environment Institute supports the systematic operational process (Table 3).

35 Table 3 Roles of different parties in support of Angkarn Mountain management

Agency Roles Key activities

1. TEI and PDA Mentoring support in learning • meetings/ training/ seminars/ field study for local administration orga- visits nizations (LAO) and networks, • youth camps with schools including collaborating among • reforestation with LAOs five LAOs, government agen- • joint study on biodiversity/ borderline cies, community leaders and mapping concerned private sector • collaborate regularly with networks

2. the Office of Understanding the forest • meetings/ planning Natural Resource borderline, community forest • legal knowledge sharing and Environment, development, academic • budget support for check dams Buriram province knowledge and policy, budget construction Forest Resource support and planning • forest fire prevention training Management • youth camps activities/ volunteers Office in Nakhon Rachasima

3. Authority/ Legal knowledge sharing, • forest conservation policy Military regulations, conservation • forest encroachment prevention with support, complaint taking village/ sub-district heads and solutions finding with • support to forest patrol officers local leaders • complaints taking/ conflict management/ arrest of violators

4. Students of Study on community data, • biodiversity survey Forestry Faculty, resource survey and forest • water-quality assessment/ resource value Kasetsart resource value and forest dependency in 2008 and 2009 University (examples of two villages) • Angkarn Mountain forest fertility sampling

5. Research Biodiversity surveys, • study of rare plant and wild animal Office, Khao Yai knowledge sharing and species National Park academic suggestions • complete conservation zoning • learning community and consensus • proposed appropriate forest management and development pattern

6. Tourism Ecotourism support through • tourism and cultural destinations Authority of study, planning and • tourism model development Thailand, Buriram collaboration with relevant • support for local guide training institute province parties • public relations

At Mae Ta, community forest management in each village is connected under Tambon regulations based on the Decentralization Act of 1999, and the Tambon Council and Tambon Administrative Organization Act of 1994 and its fifth amendment of 2003. Such conceptual progress is a result of policy opportunity derived from the Constitution which entitles the rights and duties in natural resources and environmental management to locals. This is clearly elaborated in the Constitutions of 1997 and 2007. Angkarn Mountain management is still referred to under the National Reserved Forest Act of 1964, which is a mechanism to protect further forests’ encroachment and also to other agreements and activities, mostly the systematic data collection on forest use.

36 2. Forest Landscape Management in National Parks

ase studies regarding the participatory management of Ban Khao Lek were carried out. The C community is located in an area relevant to the rights stipulated by both the 1997 and 2007 Constitutions. Traditionally, local communities are entitled to these rights. The National Park was declared to overlap the community’s land due to flaws in field survey processes and the lack of participation of community members in all processes. The employees of National Parks fulfilled their roles and responsibilities in line with forest acts and natural resource conservation policies. There were many arrests and trial cases as well as the seizure of areas that have been the source of the community’s livelihoods since 1981. The community at the same time still needs to cut down trees to use the land for growing crops under traditional swidden farming. Consequently, there are many controversies between Ban Khao Lek community and the National Park, which from time to time are severe. Al- though both parties want to solve the conflict, the situation is

37 worsened by a lack of joint management. Since 2001, Chal- erm Rattanakosin National Park has initiated various activities to manage its land and mitigate such conflicts. The significant projects are the piloting of sustainable national park management (2001–2006), land ownership assessment, and the Joint Management of Protected Areas or JoMPA (2004–2010) project survey for additional community forest use, and activities in support of forest-friendly livelihoods. The Memorandum of Understanding between Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park and Ban Khao Lek community, signed on 28 November 2008, elaborates on the cooperation in joint and participatory management of protected areas.

The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation is a non-profit organization working to collaborate between community and Chal- erm Rattanakosin National Park in JoMPA project. It has developed a model based on the cabinet resolution to confine livelihoods areas in the original space and proposed another project owned and implemented by Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park to facilitate conflict resolution mechanism by the officials in accordance with article 19 of the National Park Act.

Diagram 2 represents the steps of area management by community under the legal framework of JoMPA in the Western forest complex (the JoMPA project was authorized by DNP on 30 September 2008).

38 Target area in community area management under Joint Management of Protected Area project

Operational approach in accordance with Cabinet Resolution 30th June 1999

Areas used In both cases of people using the areas prior to Areas used prior to declaring conservation zone and after the after declaring declaration but unable to relocate them to other declaring conservation areas as stated in the laws, the area shall be conservation zone strictly confined and concrete conditions zone developed for sustainable conservation.

Operational approach specified in legal provisions in conservation areas

National Park Act Activities must be Wild Animal Preservation (article 19) and regulations implemented by and Protection Act (article of National Park Department officials in order 38 para. 2) and regulations on the operations of officials to conserve of Royal Forest Department in National Park areas protected areas on the operations of officials 2006 no. 4 (11) in National Park areas 1994 (edition 2) no. 3

Work Plan jointly agreed between DNP and Seub Nakhasathien Foundation for project implementation – Responsible agencies are Wildlife Conservation Area/ National Park and Seub Nakhasathien Foundation

Database setting project Community leaders’ Project to support the for protected areas capacity building for sufficient economy management conservation project livelihoods

Border lines for use areas, Forest-friendly livelihoods community and joint agreements

Community participatory forest management and project development for people to harmoniously live with the forest

39 Mechanisms for forest border marking prioritize and accept current information from all stakeholders, as shown in Diagram 3.

Diagram 3 Participatory borderline marking process in JoMPA (applied from Raks Thai Foundation, 2009)9

Participatory border marking of special zone

• create understanding on border marking with operational team • selection of piloted villages • tools and equipments preparation (selection requirements are jointly determined)

• community 1. Preparation • meeting • national to develop park mechanisms for special zoning • formal/ informal • training • survey 9. Follow-up on 2. Building mutual (mapping, of satellite GPS, GIS, image/ changes made understanding 3D Model, by air Remote sensing) encroachment

• spatial 8. Border marking in Border 3. Establishing Com- • draft marking com- and the field encroach- munity Committee munity record ment and regula- national park, etc. conflict tions regulations resolution between officials • border line 7. Information pre- and villagers 4. Joint border acknowl- sented for approval survey edgement • complete map • system • complete mapping regulations on land denial use 6. Review of regulations 5. Acknowledgement of • border and community border border line and agree- line survey ment in management

9 Ratkawi Boonmek (2009) Special Zone Border and Joint Management of Protected Area, Doi Pukha National Park, Nan province. Prepared for GMS BCI Thailand Project Seminar on Participatory Approaches to Biodiversity Conservation and Management in Protected Areas, 21 December 2009, GMS BCI Thailand Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok.

40 The borderline survey result is shown on the Khao Lek map.

41 3. Forest landscape management linking with natural systems in diverse areas

he case study in this area is ecosystem restoration from the T mountains to the sea in the Kuraburi and Kapur watersheds, which are separated into conservation zone and surrounding area. The conservation zone covers forests in national parks such as in Sri Phang-Nga National Park, Laem Son National Park, Klong Naka Wildlife Conservation Area, Khuan Maeyai Mon Wildlife Conservation Area, © IUCN-TH/Sayan CHEUNUDOMSAVAD and Klong Yan Wildlife Conservation Area. Challenges in many of these conservation areas have not been made clear and have created conflicts with surrounding communities. Apart from that, the related state officials have not actually monitored and worked closely with the communities, resulting in a delay in finding solutions. At the same time, the surrounding areas, such as in national reserved forests and mangrove forests outside of conservation zones, are also crucial and rich in biodiversity, the same as in conservation areas.

Lower Ranong coastal areas and upper Phang-Nga are full of reserved forests outside of key conservation zones, comprising numerous forests and mountains such as: Khao Pak Klong Phak Bia, Khao Hua Khao and Khao Bang Nieng, which are located in Koh Kho Khao sub-district; Khao Bang

42 Si Fun in Bang Nai Si sub-district, Ta soil and water conservation boundary Kua Pa district; Khao Bor Sai in Bang in steep areas, reforestation, and other Wan sub-district; Khao Mae Nang Khao activities for extra income-generating, in Mae Nang Khao sub-district; Kura campaigns and education to raise con- sub-district, Kuraburi district; Khao Na science on natural resource conser- Pru Yai in Kampuon sub-district; and vation. The case study for this is the Khao Sa Ki Lee in Bang Hin and Kapur movement of Khao Mae Nang Khao sub-district, Kapur district, for instance. Conservation Network, Kuraburi district, In addition, many forests and moun- Phang-Nga province, in which commu- tains are scattered across these areas. nities surrounding this mountain range Excluding the mangrove forests, in total led by Tungrak village, Bangdip village, this is an extensive area of just over 166 and Naitui village conservation groups square kilometres. In reality and prac- attempt to consolidate leaders from tice, legal enforcement rarely happens various villages around Khao Mae Nang in these forest areas outside the pro- Khao range for its conservation. This is tected zone, resulting in an increasing the largest national reserved forest in level of encroachment for residence, the area. They have eventually formed agriculture, particularly for rubber trees Khao Mae Nang Khao Conservation and palm oil. Hence the forests in these Network and jointly conducted conser- areas are reducing rapidly and are at risk vation activities. of permanent deforestation in the future. Apart from the encroachment, there are also issues of wildlife smuggling, illegal logging, and wild products collection. Because the areas in national reserved forests are scattered and not connected, the conservation and management are much difficult and challenging.

The management pattern for community forests aims for community use. Community members can make use of forests in buffer zones and lessen their reliance on conserved forests to improve their quality of life. Eco-friendly agricultural and other livelihoods are supported such as organic farming,

43 Conclusions and recommendations

ll six cases are simply a starting point in participatory forest ecosystem management for sustainable A development in Thailand. The following tasks are no less challenging and complex, requiring a set of operational tools so that the related officials can carry out their works with effectiveness and flexibility. In the long term, forest landscape restoration cannot rely on a single technique but should be supported by diverse policy frameworks at the community and national levels. At the operational level, the officials need to understand the impacts of other land use policies on forest restoration and management.

Some interesting recommendations are proposed:10

• It focuses restoration decisions on how best to restore forest functionality (that is, the goods, services and processes that forests deliver), rather than on simply maximizing new forest cover. In other words, FLR is more than just tree-planting.

• It encourages the practitioner to take site-based decisions within a landscape context, ensuring, at the very least, that such decisions do not reduce the quality or quantity of forest-related functions at a landscape level and, ideally, that the decisions con- tribute towards improving landscape-level functionality.

• It requires that local needs are addressed and balanced alongside national-level priorities and requirements for restoration, thus making local stakeholder involvement in planning and management decisions and essential component

10 Rietbergen-McCracken, J., Maginnis, S. and Sarre, A. (eds), The Forest Landscape Restoration Handbook. Earthscan Publications, London. .

44 • While promoting the need for site-level specialization, it strongly discourages actions that would result in human well-being trad- ed off against ecological integrity at the landscape level, or vice versa. Such trade-offs are unsustainable and tend to be counterproductive in the me- dium to long term.

• It recognizes that neither the solutions to complex land-use problems nor the outcomes of particular courses of action can be predicted accurately, especially as ecosystems and land- use patterns change over time. FLR is, therefore, landscape restoration built on adaptive management techniques that require that necessary provisions be made for monitoring and learning.

45 Annex

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation is operated under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Its missions are to preserve and restore forest resources, wildlife, and plants in conserved forest areas. The department controls and protects existing conserved forests as well as rehabilitates degraded forest by promoting and raising awareness for community’s value and participation in local resources management. This is to retain the balance of ecosystems and the environment, together with biodiversity, sources of upstream water, wildlife grounds, food supply, recreational and eco-tourism under the vision of “Diverse landscape, plenty wildlife, sustainable forests.”

The Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) is an NGO for sustainable natural resource conservation and environmental development which conducts research and works in the field, implements capacity building activities, and supports participatory approach for environmental accountability. It works closely with government agencies, the private sector and communities, civil society, regional and international organizations. TEI contributes to the design of environmental policies which encourage environmental advancement significant to Thailand and Asia.

The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation, one of the largest and most active conservation NGOs in Thailand, was established in 1990 in tribute to Seub Nakhasathien, a Royal Forest official who sacrificed his life to make a stand against forest mismanagement. Such loss led to nationwide attention in conservation and stimulated the natural resource conservation in Thai society. This remains the purpose of the foundation and its operations. Among its main activities are supporting and encouraging participatory management of the Thung Yai Naresuan-Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, which was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO, and the Western forest complex, which is the second-largest conserved forest corridor in Southeast Asia. The Foundation initiated the “Fund for Forest Protectors” and “Wildlife Fund” to provide welfare for forest protectors and support research works, including raising conservation awareness for youth, educational officers, and the general public.

RECOFTC – The Centre for People and Forests is an international non-profit organization with expertise in enhancing capacity on community forestry and disseminating knowledge in forest management. RECOFTC works alongside its strategic networks and partners with government agencies, other NGOs, people’s organizations, local communities, research institutes and other educational institutions in the Asia-Pacific region. With more than 20 years of international experience in dynamic capacity building both in research and analysis, demonstration and training, RECOFTC is able to present innovative and sustainable solutions for peoples and forests.

The Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Institute (GSEI) was established under the Good Governance for Social Development and the Environment Foundation. Amidst the dynamics of changes in Thai society, GSEI focuses its work on the role of people, realizing the capacity of communities and people in driving social development, environmental protection, and the research and dissemination of knowledge and understanding which should lead to social and environmental governance. Its works highly emphasize researches for sustainable development which are beneficial both at community and policy levels.

46 Maps for ten cases of forest landscape management

1. The Tenasserim Corridor Initiative for Biodiversity Conservation

2. Ban Santikiri Reforestation Project, Doi Mae Salong, in honour of the 80th Birthday Anniversary of H. M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej

3. Decentralization of Power and Governance in Forest Landscape Management: The Case of the Mae Ta River Basin, Chiang Mai

4. Landscape Management by the Khao Lek community, Chalerm Rattanakosin National Park

5. Joint Management of Angkarn Mountain…the Legend of the Volcano

6. Rehabilitating Ecosystems from the Mountains to the Sea: The Kuraburi and Kapur Watersheds

7. Biodiversity Conservation Corridor of Mekong Sub-Region

8. Khao Pangma Forest Landscape Restoration – a challenge of climate change

9. Special Zone Border and Joint Management of Protected Area in Doi Puka National Park, Nan province

10. Chi River Basin Restoration

More details on all of these case studies can be found in the documents prepared for the 2009 GMS BCI Thailand seminar on joint management and biodiversity conservation in protected areas, or online at www.iucn.org/about/union/secretariat/offices/asia/asia_where_work/thailand/publicatons. IUCN Thailand Programme

63 Sukhumvit Soi 39, Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel +66 2 662 4029 Fax +66 2 662 4387 www.iucn.org/thailand