Protecting biological diversity : Thailand case study

The project, implemented by Wildlife Fund of Thailand, included an environmental education program in all 47 villages; the creation of Environmental Protection Societies (EPS) in 10 villages; and the introduction in EPS villages of improved farming methods and new household enterprises (e.g., fruit tree cultivation, livestock raising). Results have been mixed. On the positive side, environmental awareness efforts were very successful, even among villagers with low literacy and income levels; illegal logging, hunting, and farming have declined in all TEAM villages; the introduction of new technologies has helped to raise community living standards; and participating Thai environmental NGOs have sharpened their awareness of and capacity for forest habitat protection. On the other hand, evidence of regeneration of forest and wildlife resources remains spotty; EPS activities, while continuing at a relatively high level in 7 of the 10 villages, still need assistance from Thai NGOs; environmental awareness at the governmental level is only beginning; and external pressures from land development and increased tourism places the long-term viability of Khao Yai National Park seriously in doubt. Also, while TEAM correctly selected a low-income area as a target population, its strict eligibility requirements put project loans beyond the reach of the most important target households (the landless and wage earners). Appendices include a discussion of protected areas in Thailand, profiles of Khao Yai Park and of TEAM villages, and a bibliography.