Thailand: Phuket, Baan Bang La

Objectives of the Community Mangrove Forest Conservation of Baan Bang La are:

To restore, monitor, and manage land use to obtain equal and sustainable benefits for all.
To serve as the knowledge exchange centre on community-based mangrove management.
To set up a community fund.
To support the women and youth group in playing a key role in the management of the community mangrove forests¹³¹.

People Involved

The group relies on nested layers of management to ensure that community members are well represented in governance and decision making:

Supports the organisation’s conservation work.
- Supported the Baan Bang La Community Mangrove Forest Conservation Group since 2006.
- Implemented GEP SGP, the South-South Grants Facility (SSGF) and the;
- Mangrove for the Future- Small Grants Facility (MFF-SGF) in collaboration with IUCN.
Conduct mangrove plantation and reforestation activities in the area as part of their corporate social responsibility strategy.
Co-manages the 192-hectare community mangrove forest and became a member of the Baan Bang La Conservation Group committee.
Provide technical advice on mangrove forestation and seedlings.
Engage in the community conservation activities.
Teaches children artistic skills as a creative tool for raising awareness about conservation.
Provide technical advice on mangrove, coastal and marine resources.
Item description

Partners ¹³⁴⁴

- Pha Klock municipal district
- Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO)
- Phangnga Bay Coastal Fishing Community Food Security Project
- Village Head
- Mangrove Management Office
- Subdistrict Headman
These advisors are expected to share recommendations and support community activities.
Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
In charge of 7 national mangrove forest reserves
- Chairman
- Deputy
- Secretary
- Treasurer
The committee has a total of 18 members, all of whom are women, who are responsible for supporting the organisation’s activities.
- Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR)
Co-managers; government agency in charge of the 7 national mangrove forest reserves in the country.
Comprises of 11 communities.
- The Bang La community
A member of the community network in Ao Phangnga.
- Promotes knowledge exchange on mangrove management at the local and policy levels.
There are no full-time staff, and the Committee runs the organisation’s activities without compensation.
Phangnga Bay Coastal Fishing Community Food Security Project

Aim: To promote the participation of community-based organisations in managing coastal resources and strengthening their economic self-reliance.
ALL residents of the community, who according to the agreement automatically become members of the organisation.

Team Structure¹³¹

Local community replants mangroves¹³⁵

Community Involvement¹³²

According to the MoU, the Baan Bang La community will take due action to protect its natural resources.

To achieve their goals, the local residents have established:

Management & Restoration Plans

Conducting ongoing activities for protecting the mangrove forest.
For instance, in the community utilities zone, if villagers cut one tree, they must replant five.

Laws & Regulations

To guard natural resources.
Zoned areas of the mangrove forests for community utilities, strict conservation, and reforested zones.

Ensuring that both the needs of the community and those of the environment are met.

Youth Group

Dek Chai Le Rak Pachailen (Coastal Youth Conserving Mangroves)

Managed by young people, the learning center offers a range of activities related to the mangroves.
Some activities include the release of aquatic animals into the marine environment and the promotion of mangrove conservation through traditional and modern culture, such as the traditional Thai dance Hulu and fashion shows.

Engagement with Villages ¹³²

Main Focus: Raising awareness and environmental education

Community members of different ages take up different roles in the initiative:

Youth

Protecting the community mangrove forest.

With schools have already incorporated mangrove management into their curricula.

Women

Created awareness-raising campaigns on food security and indigenous knowledge to promote traditional food made from mangroves and marine resources

Demonstrates how to prepare local mangrove-based food at community events.
Survey community food supply sources such as mangrove forests, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and oyster islands, to document and publish local food recipes.