United Nations UNEP/GEF South China Sea Global Environment Environment Programme Project Facility

UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-M.9/8-Trat Date: 8th February 2008 Original: English Ninth Meeting of the Regional Working Group for the Seagrass Sub-component of the UNEP/GEF Project: “Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of ”

Beihai, Guangxi, China, 2nd - 4th April 2008

Report of Achievements, Lessons Learnt; and Plan for Completion of the Trat Demonstration Site

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STATUS OF ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN TRAT DEMONSTRATION SITE

COMPONENT 1: MANAGEMENT 1.1 A comprehensive management plan For the habitats and resources of Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site, these projects collect the data of uses resource and mangrove demonstration site conservation to study the socio-economic, mangrove biodiversity resources and land uses of habitat community around the mangrove demonstration site to prepare the draft management plan management of demonstration site conservation. The study area includes eight villages of four sub-district that was belong to two district; namely Ban Pred Nog, Ban Pred Nai, Ban Khlong lot, Ban Hung Nam Khao, Ban Khunna, Ban Tha Taphao, Ban Phrong Lum Bit and Ban Bak Khlong Nam Chieo. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology is use in mangrove resource study. Mangrove Biodiversity Resources, Pred Nai mangrove forest, the biggest component of Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site was focus with factors as a basic information to understand mangrove forest structure that essential useful for suitable manage, restore, conserve and develop ecological and environment for prevent mangrove degradation. This mangrove biodiversity resources survey opens local people community to participate and learn the scientific method from technical working group that direct advantage them in monitoring mangrove resources in the future. For Socio-economic data, the primary survey was one of the activities by semi-interview from key informants and questionnaire were tools for study. Report of survey and collecting mangrove resources and socio-economic data was published on March 2008.

1.2 Meeting of organize appropriate conservations at community Meeting of village chairperson or head for clearance output from conduct an evaluation of current stakeholders’ patterns of use through site level need agreement and discuss on a draft of management plan and was occur at 20 April, 2007 at Pikul Meeting Room, Ban Poo Resort, Amphur Muang, . This activity include informed the attendance to know the project background and organize appropriate consultants at community for clearance of the outputs of GIS. The main objectives of the meeting that needed the community which live in the project area have the participation in auditing of economic, social, and resource data. From GIS exploration of the project, it led to the community demonstration management plan of the community. Conclusion of the important strategy considers these points were managed for fair and conservative use. Manage and consider mangroves, mangrove resources, and coastal areas. Moreover, set the activities and co-stage. Moreover, Network development and support between communities and seeing totally view in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site, setting plan and rule to be co-accepted with each community plan and rule.

1.3 Finalization Management Plan Management Plan is the most important plan for manage that need all level participation, Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site is going to subcontract with Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC) by Thailand Collaborative Country Support Programme (Thailand CCSP) Section who is expert in Participatory leaning in resources management process in Thailand. Thailand CCSP assists the process for build Comprehensive Management Plan through the participation meetings that occurred at 13-15 March 2008 at Ban Poo Resort, Trat Province. Draft of comprehensive come from the extend network of mangrove management from 8 villages, 4 sub- district in demonstration Site to 17 villages of 8 sub-distinct in Trat Province. The Main content in Management Plan are assembly data, information and idea in each community to set a role in mangrove utilization. Also, joint classified conservation area, set an implementation plan of mangrove rehabilitation activity and set administration of community mangrove forest together.

1.4 Midterm Evaluation: Meeting of Senior Management Board of with PCU and visiting of site level at Trat Province of Trat Demonstration Site The meeting was chaired by Governor of Trat province, 40 participants. The meeting objective is progress project for the mid-term period evaluations that will enhance push the activities of implementation of Trat Demonstration Site under limited time schedule. This meeting occurred at 1st February 2007 at Trat Chamber building, Trat Province. Whereas 2nd February 2007, evaluator came to visit local stakeholders that related and involved in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. Financial status, the Six monthly Progress and Expenditure report of the second half of 2007 (July-December 2007) and Audit report of Year 2007 were submit to PCU.

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COMPONENT 2: MANGROVE REHABILITATION AND CONSERVATION: REHABILITATION ANDPROTECTION OF THA TAPHAO AND NAM CHIEO MANGROVE FOREST

2.1 Final draft of Document in investigation, guideline and practice of mangrove reforestation technique Including, evaluate previous experience of mangrove restoration in Thailand identify appropriate techniques for tailing in Trat Province and Document the processes, success and failures of activities and process involved in developing co management of mangrove forests, in the Trat mangrove forest was release but waiting the consultant from Department of Marine and Coastal Resources review and edit again.

2.2 Meeting of design in full consultation with local communities a long term Programme of replanting and mangrove restoration

This in the area was set on July, 13 2007 at Hung Num Chow Community Bank, Muang, Trat Province. 20 participants from Mangrove Conservation Groups and Government organizations and related community office in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site discuss and share opinions in joint survey before have joint rehabilitation plan by community. The conclusion was displayed that preparation of the replanting and mangrove restoration in the area will occur by discussion combination of small groups in each the village and study database and plan the methodology of each community for proposal of the next meeting of every groups together to produce Nam Chieo That a Phao mangrove forest. However, this plan still absent header and committee. Need joint meeting between community participants in every month with RECOFT and UNEP/GEF/SCS officer as advisers.

2.3 Preparing the meeting for make understand in the activity “Establish a patrol system and undertake community based patrols” It will be held at 7 April 2008 among local communities in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. In addition, implementation plan of a patrol system was expected to setting before running activity in every month until the end of the project in June 2008.

COMPONENT 3: BUSINESS PLAN

Under development of business plan for Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site in mangrove sustainable financing is an important aspect of long-term management. There are three subcomponents in this business plan; Identification of new revenue streams and new opportunities for diversification of income sources of poor people was under subcontract with Department of Cooperative Economic, Faculty of Economics, Kasertsart University. Investigate the feasibility of ecotourism locally to generate incomes; including use of existing learning centre was under subcontract with Department of Conservation, Faculty of Forestry, Kasertsart University. And development and implementation of business plan for sustainable management of Trat mangrove was under subcontract with Department of Agricultural Economic, Faculty of Economic, Kasertsart University. All are going to start activities around March 2008 and will finish around the end of June 2008.

COMPONENT 4: PUBLIC AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND CAPACITY BUILDING

4.1 Public Awareness

Newsletter-Three issues of newsletters were released. The main objective of each issue to inform activities how is going in demonstration and improves awareness that make related to local people and all stakeholders. There are four issues were release.

The first issue was release in November 2006. The content was composed of Open house of Trat mangrove Demonstration Site and 55 years anniversary of the Thai- diplomatic relations. Souvenir form mangrove: beautiful mangrove flowers were show. Correlations between research and management of mangrove resources and people in Trat mangrove and the mangrove-replantation programme for His Majesty the King were focus. The second one was release in the end of March 2007 that comprise of five main contents. The highlight section is sound refraction from local community that open for head of village and conservation group in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site present opinion in participation in mangrove conservation. Moreover fauna diversity in mangrove forest was showed. UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-M.9/8-Trat Page 3

The third issue was release in August, 2007. There are six components in this publishing; Vision of Cooperative participation between community and government were given by Education administration in Trat Mangrove Demonstration, President of Pred Nai Primary School and Thai Mangrove Focal Point who have vision and professional experience in human and natural resources management. Top Manu from Mangrove was show special dish from animals, raw material from mangrove in this section. Moreover, it will expand and distribute experience from UNEP-USM Training Course on Sustainable Mangrove Management in UNEP/GEF SCS Project though the reader. Addition, progress of activities in Trat Mangrove Demonstration displayed. The fourth issue will release in February 15, 2007. The content was conclude, Thailand mourns Princess Galyani Vadhana. Giving the knowledge in estimation the economic values of natural resource; Ecotourism meaning and guide for mangrove ecotourism in sustainable way in Trat Mangrove Demonstration. Moreover, progress of activities was put in this issue.

Improvement of existing Learning Centre: Boardwalk and Mangrove Learing Museum were under operating. On Process preparing exhibition material for the centre in Pred Nai Village and Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site.

4.2 Education

Youth Camp Activity- “Youth Network Succeed in Mangrove Conservation” From 25 to 28 July 2007 (3 days, 2 night) at Ban Prednai School, Thumbol Huang Nam Klow, Amphur Muaong-Trat, Trat province. There were about 140 participants; 106 Students from 15 schools in Trat Province were main target group for increasing mangrove awareness and conservation among youth people in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. Others were Mangrove conservation Group members and Teachers from those school, Officer Members of Mangrove Resources Development Station 4, Officer Members of Mangrove Resources Research and Development Station 4 and People from community. The main aim of this activity was to increase knowledge in natural mangrove resources and mangrove conservation to youth people, adding, enhanced awareness in mangrove conservation. To promote Mangrove Conservation network among youth people and moreover produce young blood leader in Mangrove conservation at Trat Mangrove Demonstration that was expected from this activity. The third of Youth camp activity will propose in 28-30 April 2008 (3 days, 2 nights) on school vacation that will invite teachers from Cambodian Site to joint and leaning how to arrange and operate youth camp activity. Believe that Cambodian teacher will distribute the knowledge to student or youth as target under the project.

COMPONENT 5: CO-OPERATIVE IN TRANSBOUNDARY WATERS

5.1 The First Joint Meeting between the Management Teams of the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) and Trat Demonstration Sites. At Ban Pu Resort, Trat Province, Thailand, 3rd - 5th July 2006. The meeting was focus on transboundary and joint management issue that related with problems of resource use and joint activities to address identified common needs in both country. Moreover discuss a work plan for joint activities and development of a framework for co-operation in ecosystem and habitat management.

5.2 The second Joint Meeting between the Management Teams of the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) and Trat Demonstration Sites. At , Cambodia, 21st – 23rd August 2007. The joint activities would enhance the exchange of experiences at three different levels: scientific and policy at the inter-governmental level; management and planning at the Provincial level; and action at the local and community levels. Overall the purpose of the meeting was to foster the exchange of ideas concerning the effective management and conservation of mangrove and wetland resources in Trat and Koh Kong Provinces. The meeting was focus on a review of drafted policy framework and review of drafted operational framework for cooperation in resources and ecosystem management such as Joint Transboundary Guideline for Resource Assessment and Monitoring and Joint Transboundary GIS database, based Map, GIS Format and Parameters were included.

5.3 The Third meeting Joint Meeting between the Management Teams of the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS) and Trat Demonstration Sites was held at Trat Province, Thailand on 18th – 20th February 2007.

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5.4 The first joint technical workshop between Trat Province (Thailand) and Koh Kong (Cambodia) under co-operative in transboundary waters frame work was set from 29 - 30 May 2007. The objective of this workshop was to provide and share a knowledge and experience in technical rehabilitation such as the Mangrove seed production, nursery technique and planting by Thai experts.

5.5 The second joint workshop between Trat Province (Thailand) and Koh Kong (Cambodia) under co-operative in transboundary waters frame work, Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site, workshop training in assessment and monitoring of Mangrove forest and fisheries product in Trat Province 28th - 30th March 2008.

5.6 Developing transboundary water framework between Trat Province, Thailand and Koh Kong, Cambodia has been operated since the first joint meeting between Trat Demonstration Site and Peam Krasop. Co-operative framework at operational level and political level discussed between mangrove focal point after the 8th RWG-M. Cooperative framework at Policy level was develop until the second joint meeting, revision and editing of Thai, Khmer and English text. At the recent, waiting approval and signature by both Province Governor. UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-M.9/8-Trat Page 5

REPORTING OF LESSON LEARNT

Public Awareness and Education in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation of the Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site Project

1. Project title: Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site Project: Public Awareness and Education in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation of the Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site Project

2. Project summary: The demonstration site is focus on the Thatapoa/Numchieo conservation forest area of the Trat Province the easternmost area of Thailand. The purpose of the project is to establish a demonstration site for good practice in community participation in mangrove conservation work in Trat Province that can serve as a model for wider application nationally and in the other countries participating in the UNEP GEF SCS Project. Moreover, the project will seek to reverse environmental degradation in the area by developing a management plan involving all stakeholders.

The main five activities to approach the goals: Strengthen and expands as appropriate the community based management system for the Trat Province Mangroves. Development and implement a programme for replanting, maintaining and protecting mangrove in Trat Province, particularly Thatapoa/Numchieo conservation forest area. Develop a business plan for sustainable financing of management of Trat Province. Enhance awareness, education and capacity building in all level of government and civil society. In addition, establish a cooperative framework for resources management in the transboundary water between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) which is the main responsibility for management mangrove resource in Thailand, including in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site.

3. Description of issues(s) and challenge(s): Trat Mangrove forest is diverse with 33 true mangrove species and 36 associated mangrove species. This demonstration site, on the Thatapoa/Numchieo conservation forest area of the Trat Province that area supports an extensive mangrove forest and some aquaculture activity. Especially, eight villages are located in Thatapoa/Numchieo conservation forest area while around 21 coastal villages in the province depend on mangrove resources for part o their livelihood and income.

The Mangrove forest in this area has for many years been used as a source of charcoal and tannin, extracted under a government concession. Also, Trat Mangrove forests were cut and clear to construct shrimp and fish pond. At present, almost local villagers earn their livings from the mangrove forest through costal fisheries, mud crab and grapsid crab collection. Some use mangrove forest as recreation place and ecotourism.

Although a government concession which was terminated in 2001 and investors for shrimp farming were decrease, mangrove resource and biodiversity in this area that has been reversed. The main interested threats that could identify in Trat Mangrove are: Illegal encroachment into mangrove forest areas for human settle and shrimp pond extension purpose. Over fishing by commercial fishing boats and illegal fishing gear impact on local villagers and other marine animals in mangrove ecosystem. And, costal erosion by natural wave occurred and disturbed from fisherman boat at the fringe of mangrove forest. Then all threats problems need to solve that in the same direction with mangrove resources necessary to conserve and rehabilitate. In addition, believed that significantly successful in sustainable management and conservation in mangrove ecosystem should based on local people and cooperation between communities.

One of the reasons for this destruction is a lack of understanding and knowledge in mangrove ecosystem and economic benefits provided by mangrove, therefore increase understanding and knowledge in the value of mangroves and strengthen the links between the conservation of mangrove forest and livelihood of local people is very importance.

4. Experiences: Background of Awareness and education activities in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site is strength and continues, especially, Pred Nai community. A great background in mangrove conservation come from desired to protect area own land for occupation and animal resource as food source. Pred Nai people form cooperation group flight and protest mangrove UNEP/GEF/SCS/RWG-M.9/8-Trat Page 6

destruction from the investor who extend shrimp farm in this area. After the investors went out from the mangrove area, Pred Nai community implemented reforestation following local traditional knowledge. Next, around 1998, Pred Nai Mangrove Conservation and Development group was established to manage and conserve Pred Nai mangrove forest. Pred Nai Mangrove community established Mangrove management Plan from suggestion of RECOFTC. Moreover, to increase fishery productivity, particular crab population, people form crab group, replanting more and make artificial reef by using cement filled in tired, put on the fringe to be nursery ground for marine juvenile. Pred Nai community also consider the coastal erosion then do research by put this artifical reef and bamboo pole at the fringe to protect fisheries boat come to destroy coastal and mangrove tree. Nowadays, Pred Nai Mangrove forest become the learning ground for community-based forest management.and mangrove ecosystem for school, education institute and others who is interested in Community Forest. Pred Nai Community is the one of eight target villages of Trat Mangrove demonstration site.

The Project UNEP GEF SCS project intend to establish a demonstration site for good practice in community participation in mangrove conservation work in Trat Province under Trat Mangrove demonstration site UNEP GEF SCS project, due to a good deal experience, Pred Nai was assumed as a mentor to other community in sustainable mangrove management. Then Pred Nai community distributes education in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation to others.

The following cases highlight “Public Awareness and Education in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation” as remain important part of main activity, Establish awareness and enhance education precede learning distribute through various levels and activities.

4.1 Management Strengthen and expands as appropriate the community based management system for the Trat Province Mangroves, Prednai Community Education in database of Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. At proceed for built comprehensive management plan, Trat mangrove Demonstration Site, these projects survey and collect the data of uses resource and mangrove demonstration site conservation, to study the socio-economic, mangrove biodiversity resources and land uses of habitat community around the mangrove demonstration site to prepare the draft management plan management of demonstration site conservation. Research team of Trat Demonstration Site give education and guide the method, how to survey and recorded the data. This mangrove biodiversity resources survey opens local people community to participate and learn the scientific method from technical working group that direct advantage them in monitoring mangrove resources in the future. Beside UNEP GEP SCS supported, moreover Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC) by Thailand Collaborative Country Support Programme (Thailand CCSP) who is expert in Participatory leaning in resources management process in Thailand was joining to build Management Plan through the participation meetings and learning in 8 villages in Trat Demonstration Site. Resulting from effective management plan then network for joint management Plan was extend to 17 villages of Trat Province. That could say that it is the real power of community participation in mangrove management.

4.2 Mangrove Rehabilitation and Conservation

Development and implement a programme for replanting, maintaining and protecting mangrove in Trat Province, particularly Thatapoa/ Numchieo conservation forest area. Department of Marine and Coastal Resources provide education in mangrove rehabilitation through a Planting technique manual and publish document in evaluate previous experience of mangrove restoration in Thailand and identify appropriate technique for trailing in Trat Province. At community level, UNEP GEF SCS support Pred Nai village to be an adviser and trainer to other villages in establishes a patrol system and undertake community based patrols network

4.3 Business Plan

For support a long term sustainable management, need to development and implemented of business plan for sustainable management. Identification of new revenue and opportunities for diversification of income and investigate the feasibility of ecotourism to generate income.

The business plan knowledge was educated though community meeting which sub-contact organization who come to do research and consult in Trat Mangrove Demonstration. Increase knowledge in business plan make local people understands how to apply and develop it in the site, in term of sustainable way.

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4.4 Education, public awareness and capacity building in all level of government and civil society.

Enhance awareness, education and capacity building in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. Capacity building is focus on training activities at both the community and government levels. Activity of assessment and monitoring in mangrove resources is necessary need for enhanced public awareness is regarding the status or change in mangrove ecosystem. The method and process of assessment and monitoring in mangrove resources were given to local level through Training course. This activity makes local people feel to be owner of mangrove forest and learning scientific method for approach long term study. Training Course on “Sustainable Mangrove Management” under UNEP GEF South China Sea Project, at Penang Malaysia brings community and education leader in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site grain new knowledge and share experience in mangrove management with other site and other country, next transfer all knowledge back to community.

For educations specifically occur at the level of school children in Trat Province, there are three Youth Camp activities that occurred in Trat Demonstration Site; “Green Power conservation in a small hand”, the second is “Youth Network succeeds in Mangrove Conservation” and the last one is “Youth Mangrove hero”. In the same objective, to consider knowledge in benefits and values of mangrove ecosystems and service, that approach to mangrove conservation and protection of Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site.

Whereas enhance public awareness in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site by distributes fifth issues of quarterly project newsletters for stakeholder and improvement of existing Learning Centre, including develop boardwalk and Mangrove Learing Museum were supported by UNEP GEF SCS.

4.5 Co-operative in transboundary waters. In order to establish a cooperative framework for resources management in the transboundary water between Thailand and Cambodia, Sharing the experience and knowledge to solve threat occurred at the first joint technical workshop between Trat Province (Thailand) and Koh Kong (Cambodia). This workshop was to provide and share a knowledge and experience in technical rehabilitation such as the Mangrove seed production, nursery technique and planting by Thai experts to the partner. In addition, the seconded joint technical workshop, Trat Demonstration Site was set to train Koh Kong partner in assessment and monitoring in resources in Mangrove Ecosystem under agreement in Joint guideline and Policy framework.

5. Rationale for approach taken:

Education is a background in management and conservation that could approach reverse environmental degradation and to establish a demonstration site for good practice in community participation in mangrove conservation. It is a necessary need develop public awareness and education in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation of the Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site.

6. Pros and cons for adopted approach:

6.1 Advantage for adopted approach 1. Distribute traditional and local knowledge in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation to other community among Trat Province and other areas in Thailand and also, other country. 2. Enhance awareness in mangrove conservation that to decrease environmental degradation in mangrove and coastal ecosystem. 3. Increase new blood in mangrove conservation and rehabilitation, 4. Potential develop network of mangrove conservation among community in Trat Province and Thailand. 5. Increase mangrove coverage, including increase species diversity and numbers that based on study on ecology and habitat. 6. Reduced illegal mangrove cutting through provision of alternative sustainable livelihoods 7. Establishment of sustainable use regimes to protect mangrove and fishery resources from depletion result from human use 8. Increase understanding of the environmental and economic value of mangroves and establish a perception that mangrove conservation areas are a beneficial land use. 9. Developed framework for cooperative management in the transboundary waters.

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6.2 Disadvantage for adopted approach is 1. Limited financial support in implement Public Awareness and Education in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site. 2. Lack new knowledge and technology involved in management and conservation distribute at local level. 3. Lack personal resources who to be a leader in transfer education in the long term or future, in the case youth or people who are interested in mangrove conservation. 4. Need to develop education management because lacking development education system. 5. Although give education is look easy but need long term in monitoring for effective cooperative network in Public Awareness and Education in others among Trat Province.

7. Potential for replication:

Good practices in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site were continuing support by Thai Government. Particularly, Comprehensive Management Plan in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site, was extend and supported by Sub-district Administration Office (Or Bo Tor in Thai) to implement it. Business Plan of Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site will support by Trat Government in the future. Develop mangrove management education in Trat Demonstration Site is continue, Department of Marine and Coastal Resource and Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) do the research, the project title “Studying traditional wisdom in Management Plan in case of Pred Nai Community” to distribute education of traditional wisdom in sustainable management.

The Strength community participation in Trat Mangrove Demonstration Site is a great experience in management by local people then Thailand Department of Marine and Coastal Resource will use it as model for other mangrove area that would like to develop to be community forest.

8. References:

1. Muktasam, A. 2007. A paper presented in a panel on Rethinking Rural Development in the International Development Studies. Conference on Mainstreaming Human Security: The Asian Contribution, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 4-5, 2007, 15pp. 2. RECOFTC. 2007. Pred Nai Community Mangrove Forest. M & N Design Printing, Bangkok, 30pp. 3, Regional Community Forestry Training Centre for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFTC). 2007. PredNai Community Mangrove Forest. M and N design printing Publisher, Bangkok, 30pp.

9. Contact details:

Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. 92 Soi Phaholyothin 7 Paholyothin Road, Phayathi, Bangkok 10400 Phon/Fax: (+66)2 298 2166

Mangrove Focal Point: [email protected], [email protected]. Site Manager: [email protected], [email protected]