The Comparative Evaluation of Community-based Ecotourism Management at Mangrove Forest Communities in Satun Province, Thailand

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1 The Comparative Evaluation of Community-based Ecotourism Management at Mangrove Forest Communities in Satun Province, Thailand Wirongrong Duangjai 1, Unchan Tuntates 2, Patarapong Kroeksakul 3 1,2,3 Faculty of Environmental Culture and Ecotourism, Srinakharinwirot University, 114 Sukomvit 23 Bangkok, Thailand Abstract Mangroves have tangible and intangible values to provide habitats of living organism, including fish and crustacean. For environmental function, they help effective sediment trapping, nutrient recycling and protection of shorelines from erosion. Its ecosystem brought about tremendous resource for ecotourism. In case of Thailand, the concept of ecotourism was then improved in order to enhance biodiversity conservation awareness of local community. In this research we included a combination research methodology with several aims; 1) to implement a participatory survey of a diversity of mangroves tree with local community; 2) to evaluate community potential with community-based ecotourism; 3) to compare its results of potential evaluation of community-based ecotourism management. The three community representatives who have been wellknown for community-based mangrove management were selected by key informants among seven researchers, government official, and local people. The three communities composed of Tha Num Kem Tai village, Hua Thang village, and Kok Pha Yom village. The evaluation items were developed and examined potential of local community on community-based ecotourism management. The results show that the Kok Pa Yom village gets rather high score ranking: the appointing is ranked by 0.7, the planning is 0.8, the preparing is 0.64, the visiting or survey to mangrove is For diversity of tree, it reveals that Kok Pa Yom has the most found variety of mangrove tree as sixteen from thirteen families. For the Hua Thang village and Tha Num Kem Tai village, it was found that Tha Num Kem Tai has slightly higher balance than Hao Thang village. The ranking is scored in case of Tha Num Kem Tai village as follows; the appointing is 0.45, the planning is 0.56, the preparing is 0.5, the visiting or surveying is 0.55, and the diversity of mangrove tree is 0.6 where in case of Hua Thang village has also occurred similarly with the ranking of Keywords Mangroves, Ecotourism, Local community, Participatory survey, Satun province, Thailand I. INTRODUCTION Mangroves have tremendous value to provide habitats of living organism, including fish and crustacean. 42 For environmental function, they help effective sediment trapping, nutrient recycling and protection of shorelines from erosion [1]. Generally, mangroves are forests which found along the coasts, and closed to estuary in tropical developing countries where the local communities largely depend on them for their livelihoods. With these regarded functions and potential of mangrove, local communities can manage them as a natural capital to fulfill their economic concerns. Back to the concept of sustainability, with regarded to the perilous condition of mangrove ecosystem, a sustainable use concept was established to improve the integration from various sector including community based management. The community management approach represents an essential practice to reach sustainability [2] after the notion of sustainability was widely awareness; the Agenda 21 recognized a concept of ecotourism as a potential tool for sustainable rural development, particularly in fragile environment, alleviating pressure that conventional tourism generates. There were including pollution and biodiversity loss [3]. Indeed, ecotourism has been parted of Thai national policy since Its concept was then improved in order to enhance local community roles, and to create awareness on valuable natural resources within protected areas. The aim was to open opportunities to local people for participating in thinking, doing, and deciding on natural resource management. Since the decentralization process of Thailand was influenced in 1990s. It was mentioned in the Seventh National Economic and Development Plan in The Decentralization Act was passed after that to delegate responsibilities in natural resource management to local administration in response to difficulties of the central administration implementing policies in the past [4]. Local institutions were established as Tambon Administration Organizations (TAOs). For locality scale, many administrative responsibilities shifted to the TAOs including natural resources management. At the same time, reforestation project for Land Resettlement Program, which moved local communities out of watershed areas, had been confronted with strong resistance from local people and NGOs [5].

2 This continually evidenced the retaining of government power to manage and control natural resources. The final decisions of the central government agencies on land uses were dominated [6] hence the decentralization of natural resource management is represented a strong central administration and it was limited occurrence of genuine devolution of power of local decisions. Somehow, the local community could only manage mangroves with limitation of land tenures because all mangroves of Thailand are owned by the state. Mangroves in this study are community forests where Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is authorized. Thus, mangrove conservation aspect is raising awareness among related stockholders. To protect its diversity and abundances of mangrove resources, value added of mangroves should be focused, besides its direct production like wood as charcoal production rather scenic and landscape of ecotourism sites. Hence, the researchers attempted to explore the relation of ecotourism management and mangrove conservation from three objectives; 1) to participatory survey mangroves with local community; 2) to evaluate community potential with community-based ecotourism; 3) to compare its results of potential evaluation of community-based ecotourism management. Three mangrove forest communities in Satun province were selected as study sites because of the tourism policy of the province is highlighted ecotourism and mangrove resources conservation. II. METHODOLOGY The three community representatives, who have been well-known for community-based mangrove management, were selected from key informants: seven researchers; government official; and local people. The three communities composed of Tha Num Kem Tai village, Hua Thang village, and Kok Pa Yom village. They are located in Satun province, southern Thailand. Its location shows in figure 1. For qualitative data collection, ten key informants of each village were chosen to interview and to arrange focus group which was a total of fifteen participants who participated in each village. Participatory observation was also conducted to rank scored weighting while group discussions were done [7]. The ranking scores were determined by literature reviews and expert consultation. For mangrove survey, the researchers together with local representative local people had established a base line perpendicular a river, and determined temporal six survey plots (10x10m.) along the river of each community. Within each plot there were small plot of 4x4m and 1x1 m. for gathering of sapling and seedling, respectively. 43 They had been established equally distance of 200 meters far from each plot. They were totally fifty four plots for the three communities. The data of plant found in the plots were indentified into checklist report, and were analyzed by using evaluation methods ranked into scales and contextual analysis. A. The Evaluation of Mangrove Tree Species as Natural Capital Assets The mangrove tree are regarded as natural capital assets of ecotourism management because they are occurred specifically onto landscape. The unique landscape possibly causes ecotourism site to be more attraction for eco-tourists. From group discussion to key informants and eco-tourists who visited to mangrove forests, the gathered data indicated that most of eco-tourists are satisfied to participate in mangrove conservation activities and they prefer to see variety of mangrove tree. Hence, the variables concerned on diversity of mangrove tree were built. The variables are comprised number of true mangrove, richness, and abundances. They are based on forest resource index (FRI), was ranked into three scales: low (0.33), medium (0.66), and high (1). The variables considered for each village in the study area are showed in Table1. Table 1 The building variables of mangrove natural capitals Building variables 1. number of true mangrove Rating Scale 0.33 (low) 0.66 (medium) less than 2 2. richness less than 2 3. abundances less than (high) more than 6 more than 6 more than 6 The access to forest resources indices are the average scores of all criterions and calculated by using the following equation; FRI =ΣFR ij/2n (Source: [8]) i= ith farmer 1, 2, 3. j= jth criterion, 1, 2, Where, FRI = Forest resource index 0 FRI 1 B. The Evaluation of Community-based Ecotourism Management The evaluation of community-based ecotourism management was adapted from a framework of [9], it shows in figure 2.

3 It was based on the management of ecotourism where communities are to launch its activities. Thus, community participation has been centered to determine variable with score ranking. Mostly, the of local people to manage activities was focused with a participatory approach. Dimensions of ecotourism and mangrove survey were similarly in term of activities stages and actor components. There are four activities stage consisted of appointing, planning, preparing, and visiting/surveying. Each activity was divided into two evaluation items with raking score (Table 2). The latter is based on natural capitals whereas the other four items are focused on community participation on ecotourism activity management. Figure 1 The study area-a=kok Pa Yom Village (KY), La Ngoo District; B= Tha Num Khem Tai Village (TK), Tha Pea District; C= Hua Thang Viilage (HT), Moung District, Satun Province, Thailand The eleven variables were built from five stages of action research items were developed through action research method where participation mangrove survey was conducted. The five stage of action research were included: 1) the appointing of ecotourism and participatory survey; 2) the planning of ecotourism and participatory survey; 3) the preparing of ecotourism and participatory survey; 4) the visiting or surveying of ecotourism and participatory survey; and 5) diversity of natural resources-mangrove tree. Figure 2 The Research evaluation method (adapted from [9]) For evaluation analysis, all the built variables were ranked to three levels (Table 2). establishment able to schedule appointment and planning with all activities determinations was ranked to the high level of community-based mangrove management because it is significance in assessment of perceptions of mangrove community participation in several countries, such as Philippines and Sri Lanka [10]. In case of Thailand, community-based mangrove management was initiatively establishment through the voluntary program where grass-root communities to achieved the support from government agencies and non-government agencies [11]. Ecotourism literacy was highlighted because it is regarded as one of the three main core criteria included: (1) the attraction should be predominantly nature-based; (2) visitor interaction with those attractions should be focused on learning or education; and (3) experience and product management should follow principles and practices associated with ecological, socio-culture and economic sustainability [12]. 44

4 Stage 1. Appointing Table 2 Scored ranking evaluation of community-based ecotourism management and mangrove conservation Mangrove survey & Communitybased Ecotourism Activities 1.1 A person available to make an appointment or to reserve activities 1.2 Establishment of activity time table 2. Planning 2.1 Working function allocation of the villagers 2.2 Express ideas and brain storming of the villagers 3. Preparing 3.1 Physical material preparing of the villagers 4. Surveying & Visiting 3.2 Programs and activities preparing 4.1 Proper determining a baseline of the survey plots 4.2 Ecotourism resources literacy Ranking 0.33 (low) 0.66 (medium) Insufficient Insufficient Insufficient 1(high) Excellent Excellent Excellent III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS A. Diversity of Mangrove Tree Species Tree, which were found in the fifty four plots, composed of seventeen from thirteen families. The most found was Rhizophora apiculata, and Ceriops decendra. These commonly distributes in Thai mangrove forest [1]. According to [13], last ten years when mangrove restoration was concerned about, Rhizophora apiculata was intensively planted for both utilizing and conserving proposes. Ceriops decendra was commonly found in deforested lands especially the mangroves nearby communities [14]. The three communities were possibly impacted on the implementation program of mangrove reforestation. For Kok Pa Yom mangrove area, Rhizophora apiculata was found the highest frequency as ninety-three numbers, followed by Ceriops decendra and Acrostichu maureum which were found fifteen numbers. Xylocarpus granatum, Phoenix paludosa, Bruguiera cylindrica were recorded in the same proportion of found number tree. Somehow, there were occurred exotic tree in the site of Kok Pa Yom village like Acacia mangium which import from outsiders. The mangrove ecosystem may be interrupted by human activity when reforestation program from the outsiders were introduced exotic tree which frequently referred to fast growing tree and commercial tree such as Acacia mangium [1];[14]. Tree diversity of Hau Thang village and Tha Num Kem village, were less found. Five from five families were recorded in Tha Num Kem Tai village, and four from two families in case of Hua Thang village. The five found at mangrove plots of Tha Num Kem Tai village area, included Rhizophora apiculata, Xylocarpus granatum, Lumnitzera littorea, Ceriops decendra, and Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea. The five were found in Hua Thang village area composing of Rhizophora apiculata, Ceriops decendra, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Xylocarpus granatum, and Avicennia officinallis (Table 2). 45

5 No. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering Table 3 Diversity of mangrove tree within the plots Family 1 RHIZOPHORACEAE 2 RHIZOPHORACEAE 3 RHIZOPHORACEAE Scientific name Rhizophora apiculata Blume Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume Ceriops decendra (Griff.) Ding Hou Frequency (number was found) TK HT KY No. Family 10 MALVACEAE 11 MYRTACEAE 12 PRIMULACEAE 13 PTERIDACEAE Scientific name Heritiera littoralis Dryand. Melaleuca cajuputi Powell Aegiceras corniculatum (L.) Blanco Acrostichum aureum L. Frequency (number was found) TK HT KY RHIZOPHORACEAE 5 MELIACEAE 6 MELIACEAE Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb.) Wight &Arn. Ex Graff. Xylocarpus granatum Koenig Xylocarpus moluccensis (Lam.) M. Roem RUBIACEAE 15 CASUARINACEAE 16 LEGUMINOSAE - MINOSOIDEAE 17 AVICENNIACEAE Scyphiphora hydrophyllace a Gaertn.f. Casuarina equisetifalia J. R. & C. Forst. Acacia mangium Willd. Avicennia officinallis L ACANTHACEAE 8 ARECACEAE 9 COMBRETACEAE Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl. Phoenix paludosa Roxb. Lumnitzera littorea (Jack) Voigt B. Ecotourism and Mangrove Conservation Activities Indeed, the three villages not yet established official ecotourism activities whereas mangrove conservation activities have been launched continuously. Kok Pa Yom village arranged mangrove education activities for local children. The activity is opened to join in mangrove education school every Sunday. This is volunteer program to all interested students and teachers. The volunteer foreigners had also participated in this activity. They applied to the join the activity though NGO namely Da Ra. 46

6 The most foreigners came from Europe and some of them came from Japan. Indeed, they came like a tourist who prefers to live with local community in order to gain experience of fishery livelihood and they attempted to have knowledge on mangrove rehabilitation and conservation by building community capacity. For Hua Thang village, mangrove conservation activities were focused on mangrove crab conservation and breed by the community. Tourists came to the area for searching variety of mangrove crabs. Somehow, there were only few people who can arrange activity for tourists since most of them had to feed commercial crabs. With regards to Tha Num Kem Tai village, obviously showed that there is a group of who were set up for taking care mangrove forest of the community. The team had played role on arrange actives on mangrove conservation such as training know-how of mangrove preservation mad rehabilitation to other local people. They have closed relationship with the government officials who authorized the mangrove resources around their responsible areas. C. Pentagon Balance Analysis The pentagon balance was developed due to the ranking score of five aspects in totally thirteen items. With a calculation of above formula -FRI (Forest Resource Index), there are three levels ranking from low potential (0.33) to high potential (1). The results show that Kok Pa Yom village is the most balanced of five aspects. They have very well organized activities on mangrove conservation which possibly lead to ecotourism management. The activity of mangrove survey was arranged through suitable time for appointment. The leaders of community had participatory consulted with each other in their community. They had invited the researcher team to join with them, and then made a preparation for the field survey. With these performances according to score ranking, the Kok Pa Yom village gets rather high score ranking: the appointing is ranked by 0.7, the planning is 0.8, the preparing is 0.64, the visiting or survey to mangrove is For diversity of tree, it reveals that Kok Pa Yom has the most found variety of mangrove tree as sixteen from thirteen. Resource Diversity Visiting/S urveying Appointin g Preparing Planning Figure 3 A pentagon balance analysis of community-based ecotourism management For the Hua Thang village and Tha Num Kem Tai village, it was found that Tha Num Kem Tai has slightly higher balance than Hau Thang village. The ranking is scored in case of Tha Num Kem Tai village as follows; the appointing is 0.45, the planning is 0.56, the preparing is 0.5, the visiting or surveying is 0.55, and the diversity of mangrove tree is 0.6 where in case of Hau Thang village has also occurred similarly with the ranking of 0.55 (Figure 3). IV. CONCLUSIONS Hao Thang village Tha Num KemTai village Kok Pa Yom village Although the results showed ranking score of Kok Pa Yom community is higher ranking than the other two villages, it did not mean to be the winner of communitybased ecotourism. On the other way, this attempted to empowering local community who have concerned about mangrove conservation which can possible manage the overall resources within their community like human resources and natural resources. The education concerns on mangrove conservation and rehabilitation are cored concept of ecotourism whereas community participation is parted of community-based ecotourism. Mangroves are regarded as fragile environment and sensitive areas hence to conserve them as same as they used to be in the past is challenged since human widely depends on them for livelihoods. Thus, to minimize the impacts understanding to its ecosystem is supposed to be firstly aware of the functional value added in relating to dominant human. 47

7 Acknowledgments This research project was financially supported by the National Research Council of Thailand through Srinakharinwirot University in The authors would like to thank all of the villagers and all assistants for their contributions to the interview and mangrove filed data collection processes. REFERENCES [1] Bumyavejchewin, S Mangrove forest: ecology and tree. Amarin Printing Publishing; Bangkok.690 pp. [2] Pomeroy, R. and William, M Fisheries co-management and small- scale fisheries: a brief policy. Manila: International centre for living aquatic resources management. 15 pp. [3] Datta, D. Chattopadhyay, R.N., and Guha, P Community based mangrove management: A review on status and sustainability. Journal of Environmental Management 107(2); [4] Luukkanen, O The vanishing and reappearing tropical forest: forest management and land use in Thailand. P In: Myllyntaus and Saikku, M (eds.). Encountering the past in nature essays in environmental history. Athens, Ohio, USA: Ohio University Press. [5] Poffenberger, M Communities and forest management in South Asia. A regional profile of the working group on community involvement in forest management. Forests, people and policies. IUCN, Switzerland. [6] Doklamyai, P., Ayuthya, K. N. N. and Rakyutitham, A Lessons from the northern community forest movement. In: International symposium on watershed management highland and lowland in the protected area regime: Towards new principles and practices, March 23 26, International Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand. p [7] Duangjai, W., Ngamniyom, A., Silprasit, K., and Kroeksakul, P The guideline development for sustainable livelihood indicators of village marginal mangrove forest in the Satun Province, Thailand. Asian Social Science 9(9): [8] Chen, H., Zhu, T., Krott M., Calvo, F. J., Ganesh P.S., and Makoto I Measurement evaluation of livelihood assets in sustainable forest commons governance. Land Use Policy 309(1): [9] Humphries, S., Jimenez, J., Sierra, F., and Gallardo, O Sharing in innovation: reflections on a partnership to improve livelihoods and resource conservation in Honduran hillsides. In: participatory research in conservation and Rural Livelihoods, Fortman, L. (ed.). Blackwell Publishing: Oxford, UK: [10] Kumer, A.D.R., Alam, K., and Gow, J Community perceptions of state forest ownership and management: A case study of the Sundarbans mangrove forest in Bangladesh. Journal of Environmental Management 117: [11] Chottong, B., Aksornkoae, S., Sustainable community-based mangrove rehabilitation in Thailand. Thailand Environment Institute, Bangkok, Thailand. [12] Walter, P.G Theorising visitor learning in ecotourism. Journal of Ecotourism 12(1): [13] Poonkratok, S., Worachananant, S., and Jintana, V Impacts of mangrove restoration on people s livelihoods in khlong khon subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Songkhram Province. Thai Journal of Forestry 32: [14] Andaman coast community tourism Mangrove action project. Retrieved April 15, 2014, form 48