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.
Implementing agency
Royal Forest Department, Thailand (Main agency)
Forestry Administration (Cambodia)
Biodiversity conservation and protected areas
management
Contact
jgasana(a)intercooperation.ch
Progress report
November 2009
Since the Forty-second Session
of the Committee and in accordance with the project's progress report
submitted by the Executing Agency in August 2009, progress in implementation
of the project can be summarized as follows:
The second meeting of the PSC was held in Siem Reap,
Cambodia on 8 April 2009 with participation of representatives of the
Department of Forestry, Laos. The Committee recognized the importance
of promoting the engagement of Laos in biodiversity conservation in
the Emerald Triangle Protected Forest Complex. It also made several
recommendations to further strengthen the project implementation. These
include: improvements to the Yearly Plan of Operation for the second
year with regards to the identification of more measurable indicators
and sub-project activities for the main project activities of the second
year; strengthening the engagement of the local communities and dissemination
of project outcomes; conduct of a mid-term evaluation of the project
to identify actions/measures towards the successful completion of the
project; organization of the 3rd PSC meeting in Vientiane, Laos in mid
November 2009 in cooperation with the Department of Forestry, Laos.
In conjunction with the second PSC meeting, the second
joint task force meeting at the technical level was held on 8 April
2009 to increase cooperation among the three countries. This joint meeting
discussed joint activities such as the organization of the third PSC
meeting in Laos and transboundary cooperation in management planning
and research.
Thailand component
To promote transboundary biodiversity conservation,
local stakeholders meetings were organized in February and July 2009.
Training activities to improve the capacity of the project
team and the local communities in biodiversity conservation and management
have been carried out. Necessary equipment and facilities for effective
patrolling and protection were provided with purchase of project vehicles.
Database on various local community groups was established.
Project activities continue to strengthen the local community forums
and network to facilitate biodiversity conservation.
Workshops on local community development were conducted
and six pilot activity funds were delivered to six communities on 20-21
July 2009.
A survey along the Mekong River/Thai-Cambodian borders
to identify potential areas for culture, adventure and nature-based
tourism was conducted. Eco-tourism packages were developed and approved
by concerned parties. A training programme on nature-based tourism management
for key stakeholders is being finalized.
Cambodian
component
Training of protected forest staff at operational
level has been conducted in biodiversity management, GIS Mapping, GIS
databank management, landscape planning and habitat suitability analysis.
This training will be completed in December 2009.
Preah Vihear Protected Forest (PVPF)
Management Plan was prepared in Khmer language and endorsed by the Forestry
Administration. English version of the Plan is underway.
Sustainable livelihood pilot activities
are in progress at three villages. The activities include rice bank,
fruit tree planting, and chicken raising.
Two local Forestry Administration
staff started work in June to support community outreach and law enforcement.
Fifteen monthly law enforcement patrols were conducted to evaluate forest
encroachment. Three educational sign boards were installed at strategic
locations of PVPF.
Locations of PVPF Main Field Control
Post and Ranger Outpost and their building designs were finalized.
Awareness raising activities have been carried out on a regular basis.
Three formal meetings were held to mainstream Law on Forestry and related
regulations to 80 community members in Chaes,
Chunh and Robunh villages. The roles
and responsibilities of the local communities and authorities in the
conservation and management of PVPF were discussed.
Summaries of updated project activities
have been published in the Cambodia Forestry and Wildlife Magazine every
six months since the beginning of the project in March 2008. A reporter
attended the 2nd PSC meeting and the field trip to PVPF. Two articles
on trans-boundary cooperation and conservation of PVPF were published
in the Phnom Penh Post English newspaper.
December 2007
At the time of reporting the Executing Agency was still
at the stage of preparing the first year plan of operation.
Meeting
ITTO 2009: The Third Meeting
of the Project Steering Committee, ITTO Project PD 289/04, 17.11.2009,
Thailand, Report
Documentation
Trisurat Y. ;Gasana J. K. 2010:
Consequences of Land-use Change on Trans-Boundry Biodiversity Conservation
Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex: Thailand, Cambodia and Laos,
Presentation
about ITTO Projects PD 289/04, International Conference on Biodiversity
Conservation in Transboundary Forests
Quito, Ecuador, 21-24 July 2010
Sothea H.; Phalla T.; Dany C. 2010:
Management of the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex to Promote
Cooperation for Trans-boundary Biodiversity Conservation between Thailand,
Cambodia and Laos (Phase II), Cambodian Component, Presentation
about ITTO Projects PD 289/04, International Conference on Biodiversity
Conservation in Transboundary Forests, Quito, Ecuador, 21-24 July 2010.
Kalyawongsa S.; Wisupakan K.; Dany
C. 2010: Management of the Emerald Triangle Protected Forests Complex
to Promote Cooperation for Trans-boundary Biodiversity Conservation between
Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (Phase II),
Presentation about ITTO Projects PD 289/04, International Conference
on Biodiversity Conservation in Transboundary Forests, Quito, Ecuador,
21-24 July 2010.
