THAILAND, Trang Province - November 2002
Supporting island communities in dugong conservation and habitat protection
Seacology Tsunami Fund Update in Thailand
Click photo to enlarge
The islands of Libong and Muk off the western coast of Thailand comprise 8,649 acres and 3,718 acres of land respectively, and are home to the only remaining population of Thailand's endangered dugongs (marine mammals closely related to manatees), who feed upon the islands' expansive seagrass beds. Nearby are two uninhabited islands, Lao-Lam and Ko Kah, which provide a critical filtering mechanism between heavy erosion from the mainland and the seagrass beds of Libong and Muk Islands. YADFON, a local NGO, has been working with local communities for years. Seacology is working with YADFON to provide these island communities with materials and supplies for a network of seagrass bed and mangrove forest preservation projects to protect the endangered dugongs.*
UPDATE July 2004 - Through community conservation training sessions and meetings with village representatives, a network has been established between the four villages committed to conservation efforts. This network has encouraged villagers to work together toward dugong habitat protection and the creation of sustainable livelihoods that conserve the coastal ecosystems. Thus far, work completed has included mangrove forest restoration; installation of demarcation buoys; construction of signage; boardwalk construction; expansion of one community learning center; beginning construction on another community learning center and a mangrove learning center. Completion of the last community center and a mangrove learning center is scheduled to be completed by October.
UPDATE January 2005 - Yadfon, the local group running the project, won a 2004 Associate Rolex Award for Enterprise for this Dugong Conservation in Thai Waters project.
*Support for asterisked projects is provided fully or in part by the
Nu
Skin Enterprises Force for Good Foundation
