"Department of the Marine and Coastal Resources" accelerates measures for ecotourism
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), is preparing to announce the Krabi mangrove area as "the Grand Canyon of Thailand", according to its abundant and beautiful terrain which is suitable for tourism. Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, chaired the opening ceremony of a new tourist destination and reiterated the travel with respect to nature and to Krabi people who have taken good care of their healthy piece of mangrove. DMCR is preparing measures for the management of ecotourism, with zoning area for kayaking, exploring nature trail in the mangrove areas, and moving forward with Krabi Province to set up a standard for sustainable tourism.
On 16th April 2021, after presiding over the opening ceremony of the urban forest project "Miracle of Mangrove Forest - the Grand Canyon of Thailand" at Ban Thalane, Khao Thong Subdistrict, Muang District, Krabi Province, Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, said that the area of mangrove forest in Thailand has gradually increased over the past years. The latest survey by GISTDA in 2021 showed a total area of 1.73 million rai of intact mangrove forests, which is more than 200,000 rai increased compared to the year 2014. However, the plan to increase the area of mangrove forest still has to be seriously and continuously implemented, whereas the exploitation of the current intact mangrove forest must be in a sustainable way. Today he chaired the opening ceremony of the urban forest project entitled "Miracle of Mangrove Forest - the Grand Canyon of Thailand", and he also explored the mangrove area by kayaking. Seeing the fertility of the mangrove forest made him proud of and happy for the Krabi people who have joined effort in nurturing and conserving this area until the mangrove forest is beautiful and healthy. He thought that the tourists from all over the world would want to visit and experience this natural wonder as well. Therefore, in order to accommodate those tourists, he has assigned DMCR to set up management measures and guidelines in order to prevent any impact from tourism on mangrove resources. As the people of Krabi Province has put their effort in taking care of the forest, we must not let any visitors destroy these precious resources. Moreover, he has consulted with Mr. Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of MNRE, in finding opportunity to upgrade mangrove and inland forest in many other areas to become the ecotourism attraction, in order to create income for local communities all over the country, on the basis of no damage on our natural resources.
"The one thing that I want to emphasize to everyone is that the grandparent generations of Krabi people have taken care of the mangrove forest for its natural balance state to inherit to their children, and now they open their homes for us to enjoy the beauty of the sea and mangrove, which they have preserved for generations, so we must travel with full respect to nature and to all Krabi people. If you love to travel, you must also learn to preserve the nature", said Varawut.
Mr. Sopon Thongdee, Director-General of DMCR added that the important approach to protect the mangrove forests across the country is to promote participation of all sectors. This piece of mangrove forest, which is more than 3,700 rai, has been well taken care by the cooperation of all the people in Krabi Province. More importantly, the Krabi Province has realized the importance of conservation and restoration of natural resources. Lt.Col. M.L. Kitibodee Pravitra, Governor of Krabi Province has continuously coordinated and supervised the provincial authorities to support the operation of DMCR in the area. After officially opening of this area, DMCR will put in place measures and activities in the areas. For instance, kayaking in Thalane Bay, the trip along a 7-kilometer winding path filled with rare mangrove vegetation, dotted with the beautiful scenery of dozens of limestone mountains, as well as a close sighting of various wild animals, will create an unforgettable experience for tourists. This urban forest is only 25 kilometers away from Krabi town, located at Moo 3, Khao Thong Sub-District, Muang District, Krabi Province, in which some areas are parts of Pa Klong Karode and Pa Klong Hin National Reserved Forest, and some are the mangrove forests according to the cabinet resolution. For other measures, he has prepared to discuss with the Krabi Province and related agencies to set up a standard for ecotourism, which might increase some learning activities for tourists along the nature trail, and other activities. The last thing he stressed was littering in the area. This area is connected to the sea and is the home of various wildlife and marine life, while we have experienced the lost of endangered marine animals and wildlife because of residual garbage" Mr. Sophon, Director-General of DMCR, said and asked for cooperation.