24 August 2018 – Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) invited keystakeholders to join the forum aiming to discuss on national ‘Forest Governance Reforms’.

The three-day national forum (22-24 August) organized by Department of Marine and Coastal Resources aimed to provide a platform for national stakeholders to discuss about future National Governance Reforms on Forests. Key participants from government agencies, private sectors, International organizations, academic institutes and civil society organizations, including United Nations Development Programme in Thailand attended the dialogue.

At the panel, key issues on mangrove deforestation and degradation resulted to a decline of fishery resources were highlighted. Thailand’s coastline faces most of pressures and conflicts affecting wide tropical coastal areas which caused by impact of human activities, economic expansion, replacement of the mangroves by shrimp farms and other encroaching plantations. A platform also facilitated a discussion about key achievements and future collaborations between national and local level.

In translating national policies to local action, UNDP Thailand aims to support local communities through a series of activities focused on increasing knowledge about the importance of preserving marine and coastal ecosystems. One great example is from Baan Bang La, a community of 150 households on Phang Nga Bay in Phuket Province. The community was supported by UNDP Thailand through MFF and GEF Small Grants Programme and later won the 2017 Equator Prize for an outstanding example of nature-based local solutions to sustainable development. Despite the economic expansion and illegal claims by private sectors in the area, the group has managed to protect 192 hectares of mangrove forest by developing a community savings group to provide the financial resources to look after the community mangrove forest.

“According to UN science wing, coastal mangroves are among the most threatened ecosystems on earth, with current estimates indicating up to 67 percent of mangroves have been lost to date. In Thailand, economic expansion has resulted in the widespread loss of valuable coastal habitat including a decline of fishery resources, mangrove deforestation and degradation. We are very proud to be able to support communities by increasing knowledge about the importance of preserving marine and strengthening their capacities for environmental conservation and waste management” Said Lovita Ramguttee, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Thailand.

UNDP Thailand will continue the support to Thai Government as well as collaborating with local communities.

Note to Editors:

Under UNDP Thailand, GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) and Mangroves for the Future Small Grants Facility (MFF SGF) are grant delivery mechanisms with an aim to build a better knowledge-based, strengthen empowerment and enhance governance for coastal ecosystem management at the community level.

UNDP Thailand works as part of the UN Country Team to support the Royal Thai Government and the people of Thailand to achieve the national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, please contact:

Tanyalak Thongyoojaroen

Communications and Outreach Officer

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Thailand Office

12^th Floor, United Nations Building,Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok 10200

Email:  tanyalak.thongyoojaroen@undp.org

Mobile: +668 43571673