In the light of the problems associated with the intensive use of wetlands, such as degradation of habitats and loss of biodiversity, there is an obvious need for conservation and wise use of the wetlands in the northeast of Thailand. This can be achieved by implementing the recommendations summarized below.
Measures for wetland conservation
• Formulate precise plans for the conservation, restoration and management of important wetlands, and establish agencies that will be directly responsible for this.
• Promote research on biological resources and effective wetland management processes.
• Ensure good coordination between relevant agencies and communities in wetland conservation, restoration and management, to ensure effective management and to minimize adverse impacts.
Wetland protection and management
• Demarcate conservation zones, multiple use zones for development and tourism, and the buffer zone for each wetland site.
• Provide more protection for wetlands by assigning wetlands the appropriate legal status.
• Implement strategies whereby local communities are at the center of enforcement of conservation rules, or where local communities formulate their own rules.
Provide a channel for joint responsibilities between villages, and strengthen awareness and public relation activities.
• Promote the establishment of community organizations and networks on wetland management.
Formulate policies and plans on wetland management
• Formulate a masterplan and guiding principles for the development of specific wetlands that allows for public participation.
• Formulate action plans with the participation of communities.
• Plan and designate conservation zones, multiple use zones and buffer zones with the
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Acknowledgements
The study team would like to express its sincere gratitude to officers and staff of the Department of Fisheries (DOF), the the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), the Royal Forest Department (RFD), the Department of Livestock Development, the Land Development Department (LDD), the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning-ONEP (formerly the Office of Environmental Policy and Planning-OEPP), the Tam Mun Project, the Surin Provincial Office, the Buri Ram Provincial Office, the Buri Ram Provincial Agricultural Office, the Surin Provincial Agricultural Office, the Surin Provincial Agricultural and Cooperatives Office, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the WorldFish Center (formerly ICLARM), as well as to others involved in the study, for their cooperation, contributions and suggestions. This study would not have been possible without their efforts.
Study team
name designation organization
1. Mr Narong Veeravaitaya Team leader Kasetsart University
2. Dr Choomporn Patjusanon Legislative specialist Chulalongkorn University
3. Mr Wichien Kerdsuk Researcher Khonkaen University
4. Miss Ruamruedee Panjun Researcher Kasetsart University
5. Mr Bhawas Cotepong Researcher, graduate student Kasetsart University 6. Miss Sairoong Teerawongpinyo Researcher, Graduate Student Kasetsart University
Project advisory group
name designation organization
1. Mr Pongpat Boonchuwong Economic specialist Department of Fisheries 2. Dr Choomjet Karnjanakesorn Legislative specialist Department of Fisheries 3. Dr Suchart Ingthamjitr Fisheries specialist Department of Fisheries
Thai wetland team
name designation organization
1. Dr Harvey Demaine AOP co-coordinator Asian Institute of Technology
2. Mr Wattana Leelapatra DOF co-coordinator Department of Fisheries
3. Dr Siriluck Sirisup AOP advisor Asian Institute of Technology
4. Mr Supawat Komolmarl AOP coordinator Department of Fisheries
5. Dr Suchart Ingthamjitr DOF coordinator Department of Fisheries
6. Mr Pongpat Boonchuwong Economic specialist Department of Fisheries
7. Miss Nataya Srichuntuk Economist Department of Fisheries
8. Miss Wachirapranee Claithong Economist Department of Fisheries
9. Dr Cherdsak Virapat Fisheries specialist Department of Fisheries
10. Mr Boonsong Sricharoendham Fisheries specialist Department of Fisheries 11. Dr Choomjet Karnjanakesorn Law specialist Department of Fisheries