Technical Report No. 2 THE NCAO MODEL FOREST A Partnership in Support of Sustainable Forest Management in Thailand Development of a Model Forest for Sustainable Forest Management in Thailand FFD 5199 Rev. I (F) Forest Research Office, Royal Forest Department Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Government of Thailand with support from: International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Government of Japan International Model Forest Network Secretariat (IMFNS) and Mr. Richard H. Baerg International Consultant December 2000 Technical Report No. 2 Tnn NCAO MODEL FOREST A Partnership in Support of Sustainable Forest Management in Thailand Development of a Model Forest for Sustainable Forest Management in Thailand FFD 5199 Rev. I or) Forest Research Office, Royal Forest Department Ministry of Agi'iculture and Cooperatives Government of Thailand with slipport from: International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Government of Japan international Model Forest Network Secretariat (IMFNS) and Mr. Richard H. Baerg international Consultant December 2000 EXECl. ITIVE SUMMARY The Ngao Model .Forest was developed to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources in Thailand while deriving from these resources their full economic potential so as to improve the living conditions for rural families and communities. The project strategy is to encourage the concerted involvement of various interested groups, locally and nationally, in the conservation and management of natural resources, with a view to using these resources for productive purposes, while ensuring protection of the environment and the conservation of bio-diversity, and meeting the needs of the local communities. The sponsors of the Ngao Model Forest are the Royal Forest Departtnent, Lampang Province Govenunent, Ngao Demonstration Forest, Kasetsart University Faculty of Forestry, Tham Pha Thai National Park, Agricultural Land Reforrn Office and Ngao District Government. Partnership is a key of the Model Forest concept. The Ngao Model Forest partnership is compromised of 25 organizations and institutions, which collectively represent all of the main land uses and land users in the project area. The partners are identified in the proposal and have been involved in its preparation. The partnership is seen as being dynamic in nature and other parchers are invited to join in as they learn more about the Model Forest and its prograrri of activities. Seven development objectives have been set for the Ngao Model Forest, underlying as many programs of activity. They are: I. To provide all parttiers with an up-to-date and easily accessible data base on forest land and resources, including non-timber forest products to support decision- making o11 land-use PIarrriing and sustainable forest management; 2. To manage, protect and sustainably use all forest lands, including natural and man- made forests, maintain biodiversity and enhance watershed protection; 3. To improve the livelihoods of local populations through the sustainable use of forest lands and forest resources; 4. To conduct applied research and demonstration, in support of the programs of activities to be implemented in the model forest, with special emphasis on the rehabilitation of degraded forest lands, the application of activities to support soil and water conservation and approaches to address encroachment of protected forest 'an, ,, 11 5. To increase the awareness and understanding of all partners, both professionals and technicians working at the field level, and local people and the eneral ublic. The intention is to establish links between research and operations so that new teclmologies can be made available to those who must apply them in their dail work. 6. To participate as a full member in the International Model Forest Network and thereby expand the capacity of the Ngao Model Forest partnership to develo , test and apply new approaches to support sustainable forest management. 7. To ensure the efficient and transparent management of the Model Forest 11rrou h the building of an effective painiership and operation of a sim 16 and efficient management structure. Each one of the seven programs comprises a series of activities to be implemented over time, on the basis of priorities and annual plans of operation agreed u on b the art The seven programs are: I. Development of a Comprehensive Data Base 2. Sustainable Forest Management 3 . Diversification of Economic Activity 4. Applied Research 5. Training, Extension, Public Awareness 6. Networking and Technology Transfer 7. Management and Administration I , ' The managementI'aiministration of the Ngao Model Forest will includ fl 'bl mechanisms that allow for the participation of all of the partners in the decision maki process and a penmanent but simple structure for day-to-day operations, hitiall the N ao Model Forest will be administered by the Royal Forest De artment. Ove t' , th intention is that the partnership will evolve into a legally registered - or alitzation. This Tl provide the organization with its own independence and accountability. The next step in the development of the Ngao Model Forest will be a worksho that will be attended by the proposed Model Forest partriership. The objective of this worksho w'11 b to have the proposed partners review, modify and endorse this proposal, In his process the partnership will be officially created and they will take ownershi of the To OSal. Th programs and activities that are outlined here are therefore subject to chari e as in a b deemed necessary and so defined by the partnership. These changes are not ex ected t significantly modify the programs of work but rather to bring more defiriition and detail to the objectives, specific programs, projects, work plans and budgets. This is therefore a working and living document. 111 The first phase of the I\Igao model forest will span 5 years. It will focus on padners ip development, the establishment of a Model Forest data base, specific deve opment an applied research projects and networking both nationally and internalion y. Based on preliminary estimates, a budget of Us$ 3.0 million will be required to implement the Model Forest programs and activities. Financing, both in dollars an in- h , wi e obtained from the partners, national programs and international funding. IV SPONSORS The following sponsors present the proposal for the N an Mod I' F b partners. They are listed in random order. I . Royal Forest Department 2. Lampang Province Goverriiiient 3 . Ngao Demonstration Forest 4. Kanetsart University, Faculty of Forestry 5, Tham Pha Thai National Park 6. Agricultural Land Reform Office 7. Ngao District Govenunent V PARTNERS The following individuals and institutions have indicated their interest in participating, together with the sponsors, as partners in the Ngao Model Forest, Most ave contributed to the development of this proposal. Formal conrrnitments to speci IC activities to be undertaken under the programs described in itlis proposal, will be agree upon and defined in the preparation and approval of the ami11al work plan. ey are listed in random order. I . National Forest Policy Coriumittee 2. Forest Industry Organization 3 . Tourism Authority of Than and 4. Ngao Farmer's Association 5 . Farmer' s Federation of Thailand 6. RFD - Criteria and Indicators Technical Panel 7. Wildlife Fund Thailand 8. District Council (Amphoe) 9. Sub-District Council (Tambon) 10. Village Council (Mooban) 11. HillTribe's Association 12. Women's Union of Ngao 13 . People' s Organization 14. Village Headmen 15. Mae Yom National Park 16. Lampang Medicinal Plants Conservation Assembly 17, Charcoal Industry Representative 18. Wood Carving and Handicrafts Association Vl TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Executive SUImnary Sponsors IV Partriers V Table of Contents Vl Acronyms Vlll I . O INTRODUCTION 2. 0 THE INTERNATIONAL MODEL FOREST NETWORK 2 3.0 THE NGAO MODEL FOREST 3 3 .I General Description 3 3.1. I The Country - Thailand 3,1.2 The I\Igao Model Forest 3.1.3 Topography 3.1.4 Geology 3.1,5 Climate 31.6 Vegetation 3.17 Wildlife 3.2 Present Land Use 8 3.3 Social and Coriumunity Considerations 8 3.4 Economic Situation 10 3.5 Current State of Forest Management 10 4.0 RATIONALE 11 4. -I ~Main Issues 11 4.2 Environmental Impact 11 4.3 Gender and Equity 12 4.4 Sustainability 12 5. 0 GOAL AND OBJECTIVES 12 5.1 Goal 12 5.2 Development Objectives 13 6.0 PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 13 6, I Overview 13 6.2 The Development Phase 14 6.3 Program I : Development of a Comprehensive Data Base 15 6.4 Program 2: Sustainable Forest Management 16 6.5 Program 3 : Diversification of Economic Activity 18 6.6 Program 4: Applied Research 19 Vll 20 6.7 Program 5: Training, Extension, Public Awareness 21 6.8 Program 6: Networking and Technology Transfer 22 6.9 Program 7: Management and Administration 23 7.0 PROGRAM MANAGEMENT 23 7.1 The Management Structure 25 7.2 Creating and Strengthening the Partnership FINANCING 25 8.0 WORK PLAN, BUDGETS AND 25 8.1 Work Plan 26 8.2 Evaluation and Program Review 27 8.3 Budgets A-O ANNEX A-I Ngao Model Forest Project Proposal Vlll ACRONYMS DF Demonstration Forest $us United States Dollar FAO United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization GIS geographic information system ha hectare IMFN International Model Forest Network IMFNS International Model Forest Network Secretariat ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization nun millimeter MF Model Forest NTFP ' s nori-timber forest products RFD Royal Forest Department SFM sustainable forest management SPK temporary cultivation rights STK temporary cultivation rights TAC technical advisory committee 1.0 INTRODUCTION The International Model Forest Network (IMFN) was established in 1994 and has evolved into an international initiative with 26 sites established, or in piaiming, in I I countries with several more in the early stages of development. The Model Forest (MF) concept originated in Canada in the early 1990's in response to two major challenges, First was the intense conflict between forest managers and those outside traditional forest management structures.