Protecting biological diversity in Thailand

This report summarizes a field evaluation of a community-based program implemented by the Wildlife Fund of Thailand (WFT). The evaluation found that the WFT program, which targeted the neediest households around Khao Yai National Park: (1) introduced villagers to new farming practices and rural enterprises as alternative sources of income; (2) provided a key incentive for villagers to stop encroachment practices by giving them the opportunity to obtain credit (although criteria for loan eligibility inadvertently restricted participation by the landless and wage laborers, who are particularly prone to engage in encroachment); (3) helped to bridge gaps between government agencies and the people they are intended to serve; (4) strengthened the capacity of Thai NGOs to carry out forest protection programs; and (5) rapidly and noticeably increased public awareness (even among low-income and illiterate villagers) of the importance of forest conservation practices and of buffer zone development and protection efforts. Overall, the program led to a decline in illegal logging, hunting, and farming, though it is too early to determine whether it will result in long-term regeneration of forest habitats and wildlife populations. The sustainability of this program will depend on the long-term commitment from NGOs or public agencies to boost the capabilities of the village societies established during the program. Other threats to sustainability include conflicts between tourist activities and wildlife feeding and breeding, and increased pressures to develop land adjacent to the park. The program identified several promising and low-cost strategies for replicating its successes in other buffer zone villages, e.g., recruiting teachers and Buddhist monks as volunteers. However, WFT"s community-based approach has yet to be endorsed by those Thai officials whose support is critical for the spread of the program.