KUNG KRABAEN BAY ROYAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY CENTRE ...

Kung Krabaen BayKung Krabaen Seawater irrigationfor Coastal AquacultureKung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study CentreTha mai District , Chanthaburi Province 22120E_mail : kkbrdsc@yahoo.comwww.fisheries.go.th/cf-kung_krabaen

20 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study CentreAll activities of the centre have been incorporated in the developmentorientedtourism which is related to the culture and the way of life of the localpeople as well as to eco-tourism and agro-tourism. This provides the visitorswith the knowledge of agriculture, fishery, livestock and conservation of thenatural resources while atthe same time promotingrecreation. There are morethan 200,000 tourists eachyear continuously visitingthe centre. According to theevaluation, the tourists arefully satisfied with thedevelopment tourism.Moreover, the centre hasbeen awarded with the “Excellent Tourism Award 2000” and the “Best TourismAward 2002” from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 1KUNG KRABAEN BAY ROYAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY CENTREThamai Chanthaburi ProvinceThe natural resources had been degraded that the major obstacles todevelopment. The main natural resources degradation are mangrovedestruction, decline of coastal fish stocks, and saline water intrusion intoagricultural lands, which not only cause environmental deterioration but alsoadversely affected the way of life of the local fishermen and farmers

2 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study CentreThe Royal InitiativeHis Majesty the King visited Chanthaburi Province and gave the firstRoyal initiative to Chanthaburi governor on December 28,1981, The RoyalInitiative is:-“ To consider a suitable area for development of Fisheriesand Agricultural activities on Chantaburi coastal zone ”Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 194. Development-oriented TourismFortunately, thefertility of the naturalresources in KungKrabaen Bay and thesuitable management ofthe natural resources onthe mountains downwardto the sea, especiallymangrove forest andhuman activities, supports“development-orientedtourism”. This is one way which shows the centre’s awareness of theimportance in disseminating the knowledge about the advantages of the naturalresources and their utilization for sustainability.Two days later, His Majesty the King gave the second Royal initiative onDecember 30,1981, The Royal Initiative is:-“ To select deforested area or public land in order to establisha Royal Development Study Center. ”The kung krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre wasestablished in 1981, at Tha mai District in Chanthaburi Province

18 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study CentreKung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 3Project areaThe total implementation area of the Kung Krabaen Bay RoyalDevelopment Study Centre covers 13,090 ha (81,813 rai), divided into 640 ha(4,000 rai) of the centre area 8,559 ha (53,491.5 rai) of the implementationareas outside the centre and 3,891 ha of the expanded area which alsoinclude the 33 surrounding villages.3.10 Production of Shrimp Sludge FertilizerDue to the nature of shrimp sludge composing of excessive organicmatters and nutrients which are useful to plants, the Kung Krabaen Bay RDSChas collected shrimp sludge from members of the shrimp farmers’ group to betransformed into fertilizer. This activity has protected the Kung Krabaen Bayfrom the negative environmental impacts.

4 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study CentreObjective1.To promote the effective management of coastal fishery, as well asagricultural and occupational development in the eastern coastline.2.To provide the effective programme of environmental conservation and toexamine problems and find solutions related to mangrove destruction in thecoastal environment using an integrated approach.3.To increase the income of the surrounding villagers and farmers andimprove their standard of living.4.To promote the dissemination of knowledge, skills and appropriatetechniques on aquaculture, coastal environmental protection andconservation, agriculture and animal husbandry, through the use of“demonstration projects” and provision of training based upon the study,research and experimentation work conducted at the CentreKung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 173.9 Seawater Irrigation for Shrimp CultureSince the shrimp culture activity will inevitably affect theenvironment, especially the water quality in the Bay, because the farmers donot pay attention to the discharged water which is composed of organicmatters, excessive nutrients, and other elements, the Kung Krabaen Bay RDSChas designed a biological treatment to solve this problem. The treatment,known as the “SeawaterIrrigation for Shrimp Culture”method, is aimed to promotesustainability of shrimpculture. Moreover, thecentre supported the localfarmers to form the “shrimpfarmers’ group”.

16 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre3.8 Placing of Artificial ReefsMost of the natural coral reefs which are usually correlated with fisherywere destroyed by illegal fishing. This occurrence causes a problem of fisherydegradation both at present and in the future. Accordingly, the Kung KrabaenBay RDSC built artificial reefs along the shoreline for increasing the habitat foraquatic fauna. This activity is advantageous to fishermen, especially small-scalefishermen, since they will benefit from the artificial reefs while helping topreserve the coastal resources in a sustainable fashion.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 5Coastal Resources Management of Kung Krabaen BayThe coastal resources management of Kung Krabaen Bay is done byseveral government agencies in an “INTERDISCIPLINARY” manner. Theactivities started from the mountains downward through agricultural lands tocoastlines and the sea. The activities conducted at Kung Krabaen Bay whichmainly focus on the preservation of nature and its ecosystem includeoccupational development. These activities are relatively managed togetherusing integrated approaches to create an understanding among the localpeople of the means to use coastal resources which create sustainability aswell as promote development-oriented tourism. The activities are as follows:

6 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre1. Preservation of Natural Resources on MountainsThe Kung Krabaen nonhuntingoffice was establishedon a mountain in order topreserve the natural resourcesand prevent degradation offorest, soil and freshwater. Thenatural resources rehabilitationactivities, such as forest plantingand prevention of soil erosion,are always conducted by thelocal people. An upland forest natural trail to promote eco-tourism is a means tobuild an awareness among the visitors, the local people and the teenagers torecognize the advantages of forest. These activities will reduce the impacts ofnatural degradation of agricultural lands and coastlines.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 153.7 Marine Seed ProductionThe main marine life seeds cultured by the Kung Krabaen Bay RDSCare Tiger Prawn, White Shrimp, Seabass, Grouper and Swimming Crab. Morethan 20 million seeds have been released into the Kung Krabaen Bay and thesurrounding sea each year by visitors. The seed restocking activity will increasethe fishery resources and maintain the natural ecosystem.

14 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre3.6 Oyster Seed Bed Development and Hanging Culture in OutletCanalsThe centre has developed oyster seed beds in Kung Krabaen Bay inorder to increase oyster seeds which not only supports the oyster cultureoccupation but also controls the amount of plankton and improve the quality ofthe water discharged from the shrimp culture activity.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 72. Agricultural Extension on LowlandThrough promoting the local people’s cooperation and participation, theKung Krabaen Bay RDSC intendsto improve their standard ofliving. The centre develops aneffective database of severalagricultural activities undertaken.The most suitable techniques,knowledge and useful materialsare promoted and distributedamong the farmers. They canapply the agricultural knowledge gained and involve in the preservation ofnatural resources by joining the agro-tourism activity.

8 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre3. Management of the Coastal ZoneSince most activities implemented at the Kung Krabaen Bay RDSC andits surrounding areas may negatively affect the mountains, the agricultural landsand the area of the centre itself, the centre utilizes the natural approaches,known as the “nature save nature” approaches, to solve the problems causedby human activities.3.1 Reallocation of Deteriorated Mangrove Areas for CoastalAquaculture Activities.The 116.48 ha (728 rai) of deteriorated mangrove areas around KungKrabaen Bay have been developed for shrimp culture project since 1987 withinitial members of 113 families who were provided with land. Later in 1999, asea water irrigation was incorporated in the project.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 133.5 Seagrass Conservation and ManagementThe central areaof Kung Krabaen Bay isdominated by 160 ha ofseagrass which isimportant to theecosystem in that itserves mainly as abreeding and nurseryground. Moreover, theseagrass can improvewater quality byabsorbing excessive nutrients released from the shrimp culture activity. TheKung Krabaen Bay RDSC has also persuaded the local people to conserve andreplant seagrass in order to achieve sustainability for the coastal resources.

12 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre3.4 Mangrove ReforestationIn order to regain the balance of the natural ecosystem, the Kung KrabaenBay RDSC has continuously developed an additional area of mangrovereforestation located behind the shrimp pond and in the inner part of the KungKrabaen Bay. Currently, it covers 110.4 ha (690 rai) with mangrove treesplanted by participants and volunteers. This activity is aimed to improve thequality of the water discharged from shrimp ponds as well as serve as abreeding and nursery ground for marine life.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 93.2 Extension of Shrimp Culture With Environmental ConservationSince Kung Krabaen Bay is highly suitable for aquaculture activities, thedeteriorated areas around the bay havebeen developed for shrimp culturepractice. The shrimp culture projectwas initiated in order to protect fertilemangrove forest which stretches alongthe shoreline from human destruction.The deforested mangrove areas wereconverted into shrimp farms and mangrovereforestation areas. The total area of 1.6 ha (10 rai)of each family is divided into 2 parts. The first areacovers 0.96–1.12 ha (6-7 rai) for shrimp rearingponds and the second area covers 0.48–0.68 ha(3-4 rai) for housing and reforestation. The farmerswho were given the lands for shrimp culture will notonly learn about suitable techniques of shrimpculture but also participate in the reforestation andconservation of mangrove forest alongthe Kung Krabaen Bayshoreline

10 Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre3.3 Mangrove Forest ConservationMangrove forest covering an area of 97.6 ha (610 rai) along the KungKrabaen Bay shoreline is still the most fertile mangrove forest in ChanthaburiProvince. Among the many tasks under the Kung Krabaen Bay RDSC, one isthe dissemination of knowledge on the importance of coastal resources to thelocal people and another is the method for integrating shrimp culture withmangrove forest conservation. The local people will be continuously aware ofdisadvantages of the natural ecosystem which resulted from destruction ofmangrove forest by human activities. In order to create an awareness amongthe local people of the necessity for mangrove forest conservation andrestoration, it is necessary to identify the human activities that causeunbalanced and excessive nutrients in the natural ecosystem. The mangroveforest conservation methods can be applied to improve or absorb excessivenutrients from the shrimp culture activity.Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre 11The mangrove forest nature study trail was constructed passing throughthe real mangrove forest. Along the trail, information boards and signsexplaining the ecosystem of the mangrove forest are displayed. It is very usefulfor serving as a “living natural museum” which attracts tourists to visit and learnhow to integrate between the mangrove forest and shrimp culture.

KUNG KRABAEN BAY ROYAL DEVELOPMENT STUDY CENTRE ...

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