Village latches on to ecotourism

For travellers who want more than sun, sea and sand, a Phuket village sells a introduction to the life of a fishing community.

Tourism is emerging as a means to improve village economies and strengthen conservation efforts on Phuket island where efforts are underway to revive damaged mangrove forests.

Situated in Pa Klok sub-district, Thalang District, Ban Bang Rong or Bang Rong Village is presenting travellers will an opportunity to take a closer look at rural life. The elders of this Muslim community hope that by introducing tourism it will help efforts to revive and conserve the mangrove ecology that has suffered over the years following a concession awarded a charcoal factory back in the 50s and the constant incursions by greedy land developers.

The village could become a model that shows tourism can provide an alternative income, fund welfare and even assist the elderly and students.

Office of Education’s councillor for natural resources and environmental management and a community leader, Jirasak Torthip, says community-based tourism was the last option for the village to counter the destruction of the mangrove forest.

“In 2006, when the government ended the mangrove concession, the community was given the rights to manage the forest, but they were deep in debt by then and the future looked very bleak, he said.

“Our development master plan started in the Masjid, where villagers meet to pray. Problems were discussed. Young people were assigned to survey the problems and identify solutions. The objective was to help overcome debt and buy back land from investors that could be sold to villagers at a low interest,” Mr Jirasak elaborated. “The fund started with just Bt20,000, but has since grown to Bt2 million.”

Tourism was identified as the most cost effective way to revive the fortunes of the village mainly because there was a constant supply of tourists at Phuket’s popular resorts all within driving distance.

Eco-tourism started five years ago and since then the mangrove forest has slowly recovered until it covers 3,000 rai. This in turn has aided the local fishermen as the mangroves are the kindergarten in a complicated ecological cycle. Dugong or sea cows visit the waterway once more a sign that the project is at last showing signs of success.

Revenue earned from tourist visits goes to the community for welfare such as monthly salary for elders of over 60 years who live alone, scholarship for children in the village, health care — Bt200 a night for income compensation for those who admitted to hospital.

However, the community does not offer home stay programme due to the religious principles on segregation of gender for sleeping arrangements. If vistiors want to stay overnight they to agree to be housed in separate accommodation, not with a local family.



NOTEPAD

Ecotourism programmes:

• Trekking and kayaking, Bt700 per person with lunch. Running from 0930 to 1530, the programme includes: trekking in Khao Phra Thaew Wildlife Park and Forest Reserve, watching gibbons that were released to natural habitat under Gibbon Rehabilitation project and endangered sealing wax palms; fresh seafood lunch; boat tour seeing fishermen’ lifestyle—fish and shell farms; kayaking around mangrove forest.

• Fishing with villagers, overnight programme from 1700 to 0630, Bt4,200 per boat with dinner for maximum of six people. Tourists board a local fishing boat and visit traps to collect crabs and shrimps while camping on Naka Island,

• Day trip to Panak Island in the nearby Phang Nga province, running from 0930 to 1600, Bt7,200 per boat with lunch for maximum of five persons. Activities include kayaking to visit Bat Cave, Hoi Tib Cave and Ice cream Cave, lunch on Phanak Island then back to Naka Island relaxing on the beach.

• Kayaking around Mangrove forest nearby the village, Bt200 per hour..

Contact 076 260 351, 081 892 9204 084 764 4988.