Management of the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex to promote cooperation for transboundary biodiversity conservation between Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (Phase II)

Thailand

This proposal concerns the second phase of an ITTO project PD 15/00 Rev. 2 (F) “Management of the Pha Taem Protected Complex to promote transboundary biodiversity conservation between Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (Phase I)”. In addition to initiating a process of transboundary conservation, the first phase allowed to conduct the surveys and studies on socio-economic aspects, forest ecology, and wildlife ecology. The results showed that big wildlife species such as the wild elephant, banteng and tiger seasonally migrate across the border of the three cooperating countries. However the buffer zone of Thailand’s protected areas is being encroached for agricultural production. It is therefore essential to reinforce this landscape conservation initiative and implement biodiversity conservation activities through the involvement of local residents. The information thus gathered was use for the preparation of management plans. The long-term management plan and mid-term workplan for the trans-boundary protected areas have been finalized with the active participation of the three countries. The second phase will contribute to the implementation of the Management plan, and will extend the lessons learnt from phase I to Cambodia and Laos. Its development objective is to conserve transboundary biodiversity in the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex situated between Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Its specific objectives are:

• To strengthen cooperation between Thailand, Cambodia and Laos for biodiversity conservation in respective transboundary conservation areas.
• To enhance protection and monitoring of the biological resources along tri-national borders.
• To strengthen the involvement of local communities and stakeholders in sustainable uses and management of natural resources both in inclaved communities and in the buffer zones.

Among the project’s most important outcomes will be the strengthened cooperation for transboundary conservation among the three countries, increased resource capacity in biodiversity conservation and management, integrated conservation and development programs in the buffer zone and nature-based tourism packages to improve the livelihoods of local residents and alleviate poverty.