Mangrove Forest Conservation in Thailand

In Thailand, the mangrove forests occupy the areas along the gulf of Thailand and the Andaman sea coastlines with the total area of about 367,900 ha in 1961. Unfortunately, between 1975 and 1993, the mangrove forests of Thailand has been seriously destroyed for various purposes such as human settlements, road constructions, mining activity and shrimp farms until it remained of 168,682 ha. However, most of the mangrove areas (85%) under the concession mangroves designated form logging especially the charcoal production are still good condition and they distribute along coastal lines of Andaman sea. Clear felling in alternate strips was introduced to mangrove forest management with 15-year concession since 1968. Thirty-four mangrove forest management units were established to manage and control the mangrove areas. Due to the mangrove areas has been converted into shrimp farms and other activities increasing each year. In order to have proper mangrove management, the Government has decide to classify the mangrove areas into 2 zones; conservation and economics. The government has also set a plan for mangrove re-afforestation each year and during 1992-1995 about 13,569 ha had been replanted. Four seed production centers were already constructed to support seedlings for the local people to plant in the unproductive or degraded mangrove forests near the communities. The mangrove areas which composed of various kinds of plants and animals will be reserved for studying biodiversity and other related areas. Recently on 16th July and 13th August 1996 the cabinet's resolutions approved that the remain mangrove of Thailand including concession mangrove area should be protected seriously and recovered as hurry as possible.