Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
International Council for Bird Preservation

Contractor:
Royal Forest Department, Thailand

Project Code: 182-680-005	Start Date: 01-Apr-89	End Date: 01-Mar-93
Commitment: £136,437	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - JFS

Project Background:
The loss of forest is the primary environmental problem in Thailand, seriously affecting large numbers of people, as well as animals and plants. In the last 40 years many areas of Thailand have been deforested, particularly in the lowlands. Of the many adverse consequences of deforestation, perhaps the most significant is the decrease in both quantity and quality of water resources. This situation has been seen repeatedly throughout the tropics, a notable example being North-east Thailand, where chronic drought conditions have necessitated massive aid efforts. The effective protection of forested watershed areas has been recognised as essential both by development aid agencies, and by conservationists. Khao Noi Chuchi (a 650 m hill on the border of Krabi and Trang provinces) and its immediate surroundings comprise the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in Peninsular Thailand. Following the establishment of the forest as a Non-Hunting Area in 1987, ICBP has developed this proposal for an intregrated forest watershed conservation programme. ICBP's involvement in the area dates from 1986 when Gurney's Pitta was rediscovered - two years' survey work has revealed that this is the stronghold for this critically threatened species. The great majority of local people recognised the problems resulting from deforestation, and express concern at continued logging in the area. Discussions held over the last year have been aimed at identifying areas of common ground between local people and the Royal Forest Department, both of whom agree that remaining forest must be protected. ICBP therefore hopes to develop a broad-based integrated approach, involving agricultural assistance, environmental education and controlled eco-tourism to support the local economy. Such a project in Penisular Thailand would act as a powerful example both within Thailand and elsewhere in South-east Asia.

Project Objectives:
The project sets out to prevent further forest loss through more effective protection, and to rehabilitate selected cleared areas with native tree and palm species which may both be harvested by locals and utilised by some lowland forest birds.

Intended Outputs:
The overall outputs were: Preparation of a detailed land-use management plan for Khao Noi Chuchi with the aim of establishing an integrated management regime that would act as an example for protected areas elsewhere in Thailand Establishment of the core areas of Khao Noi Chuchi as a Wildlife Sanctuary, fringed by a buffer zone having Non-Hunting Area status Establishment of a local reforestation and regeneration programme using indigenous tree and palm species of both socio-economic and nature conservation value Ugrading and improvement of local agricultural practices in such a way as to improve crop yields on already cleared areas, thereby removing pressure on remaining forest and secondary growth Development and promotion of agricultural techniques which do not conflict with conservation, as part of the establishment of an integrated management regime for the area Rehabilitation of disturbed habitats so as to improve the carrying capacity of the area for wildlife. Establishment of a conservation-education programme in order to promote environmental awareness throughout Southern Thailand Promotion of sustainable and appropriate use of the area by domestic and foreign tourists in such a way as to channel income towards local communities Initiation of long term ecological studies on the plant and animal community at the site. The immediate objectives were: The preparation of a management plan Preparation of detailed maps of land-use and land-holdings and completion of detailed mapping of forest cover in areas adjacent to the present boundaries of the site Marking of the boundaries of the existing Non-Hunting Area and the proposed Wildlife Sanctuary with permanent markers Marking of the boundaries of exisiting clearings and land holdings by planting trees and using permanent markers Establishment of the first of two additional guard stations, at either the northern or southern end of the Non-Hunting Area Survey of forest products harvested by villagers Collection of potentially utilisable palm and tree seedlings from forests in the area and establishment of nursery beds Initation of trails plantings of indigenous tree and palm species of both socio-economic and widlife conservation value Commencement of a conservation education programme to promote environmental awareness among school children, both in the immediate vicinity of the site and in surrounding districts Establishment of a nature education centre and trail network Continuation of monitoring of forest cover and status of Guerneys' Pitta and other endangered forest birds Collection and preparation of herbarium specimens as part of the process of compilation of a detailed flora of the site.