The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Initiative

Case Received: February 18, 1998

Author: Siri Tookwinas, Department of Fisheries, Chatuchak, Bangkok

Tel: +662 5793682

Fax: +662-5613997

E-mail: tsiri@mozart.inet.co.th

Kung Krabaen Bay is in Chathaburi province, eastern Thailand which is around 260 km. from Bangkok. The bay located at latitude 12^º 36^’- 12^º 36^’ N and longitude 101^º 53^’ E. The water surface area of bay is 15,000,000 m² which is about 5 km long and 3 km wide. Water depth is usually 70-300 m. in the bay and 60 - 150 cm. in the channels which the average depth is around 1.85 m. The bay is fringed in the inner parts by mangrove forest which is about 500 - 800 width from landward to seaward edge. The mangrove area is around 160 ha. The intensive marine shrimp farm of Peneaus monodon located around the bay behind the mangrove area. The culture area is approximately 142.76 ha. of 348 ponds.

In front of the bay is the sand bar of sandy beach which is the tourist spot of the province and vicinity area. The integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) of bay has been studied and applied for area development since 1981 under the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center. The author has conducted the research on the impact of an intensive marine shrimp farm on mangrove and coastal environment since 1991. The author became the Director of Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center during 1993 - 1994. and has also conducted a lot of ICZM activities at Kung Krabaen Bay.

Kung Krabaen Bay and watershed area has the total area of 5,760 ha. Before 1981, this area was a remote area and disconnected to the mainland by mangrove and swamp area. People was very poor with the income much lower than the average income of the country and earned the living by rice field and small scale fishery. The Department of Fisheries has introduced the coastal aquaculture of oyster culture by hanging method in the bay to the villagers.

His Majesty the King initiated the establishment of the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center on 28 December 1981 in order to conduct study, research and experimentation on appropriate development methods suitable for the development needs in the coastal area of Chanthaburi Province. The major obstacle to development are mangrove destruction, decline of coastal fish stocks, and saline water intrusion into agricultural lands, which not only cause environmental deterioration but also adversely affected the way of life of the local fishermen and farmers. The total area of the Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre cover 5,760 ha. The objectives of the Study Center are:

• To promote the effective management of coastal fishery, as well as agricultural and occupational development in the eastern coastline.
• To provide the effective programme of environmental conservation and to examine problems and find solutions related to mangrove destruction in the coastal environment using an integrated approach.
• To increase the income of the surrounding villagers and farmers and improve their standard of living.
• To promote the dissemination of knowledge, skills and appropriate techniques on aquaculture, coastal environmental protection and conservation, 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 Centre.

Government agencies aided the operation of Kung Krabaen Bay Project (KKB) through conservation and development activities. In order to achieve utmost benefits, it is necessary to implement the various work in an "INTERDISCIPLINARY" manner. Thus, activities under KKB Project require integrated planning among the following in order to create sustainable coastal resources.

There are several activities conducted at Kung Krabaen Bay which mainly focus on the preservation of nature and its ecosystem. These activities are integrated by several agencies to create an understanding for the local people of the means to use coastal resources which creating sustainability.

Deteriorated mangrove and low potential paddy field around Kung Krabaen Bay were developed to Shrimp Culture Project. In order to provide land for a total 113 families who were selected by Kung Krabaen Committee to participate in Shrimp Culture Project.

Since Kung Karbaen Bay is highly suitable for aquaculture activities. The deteriorated area around the bay has been developed for shrimp culture practice. The shrimps culture project was initiated in order to protect fertile mangrove forest which stretched along the shoreline from human destruction. The deforested mangrove area is converted into shrimp pond and mangrove reforestation area. The total area of 1.6 ha is divided into 2 parts. The first area covers 0.96 - 1.12 ha for shrimp rearing ponds and the second area covers 0.48 - 0.68 ha for a house plot and afforestation. The farmers who were granted with the shrimp culture area, will participate in mangrove afforestation and conservation of mangrove forest along Kung Krabaen Bay.

Mangrove forest on an area of 97.6 ha along Kung Krabaen Bay shoreline is still the most fertile mangrove forest in Chanthaburi Province. Among the many tasks under the Kung Krabaen Bay Project, one is the dissemination of knowledge to the local people on the importance of coastal resources and another is the method for integrating shrimp culture with mangrove forest conservation. The local people will be continuously aware of disadvantage of natural ecosystem which resulted from destruction of mangrove forest by human activities. In order to create an awareness among the local people of the necessity for mangrove forest conservation and restoration, it is necessary to point out the human activities that cause an imbalance in the natural ecosystem.

In order to regain a balance in the natural ecosystem, KKB Project has developed an additional area of 160 ha for mangrove reforestation at KKB that is located behind the shrimp pond and in the inner part of the Kung Krabaen Bay.

The central area of Kung Krabaen Bay is a habitat for seagrass which is important to the ecosystem in that it serves as breeding and nursery ground, and etc. Moreover, seagrass helps improve water quality by absorbing excessive nutrients released from shrimp culture. KKB Project has also persuaded the local people to conserve and replant seagrass in order to achieve the state of sustainable coastal resources.

KKB project not only manages coastal resources but also develops and disseminates suitable knowledge and new technology on production of sustainable agriculture.

Besides, developing socio-economic standards for villagers. KKB Projects also attempts to improve the well being of villagers.

The experience and model study of ICZM at Kung Krabean Bay can be applied to other coastal area of Thailand. It can be duplicated the learning process to conduct in other area, especially in other Asian countries. It might be the universal model if some modifications would be made on this learning process.