1. Background and Justification
As a result of preliminary damage assessments, it was found that some woody species, e.g. coconut palm and Casuarina, indicated a bio-physical tolerance against the tsunami waves and salinity. Rubber and oil palm plantations were also indicated as being potential buffers to absolve the physical energy of violent tsunami waves. The Thai Government is now considering policy and institutional settings on how to establish a buffer zone along the coastal areas to protect the lands and human communities from the tropical storms, monsoon and tsunami waves. In this context, it is timely and most appropriate to assist the Government on how to deal with this subject. This project would also play a complementary role with another project, “In-depth assessment of mangroves and other coastal forests affected by the tsunami in southern Thailand” in Annex 10.
2. Objective
The objective of the project is to advise the Government in the subject areas of policy and institutional settings on coastal buffer zones (or green belts), and contribute to the planning of such zones with the most suitable tree species, including economic tree crop plantations, such as coconut palm, oil palm and rubber plantations.
3. Work Plan
a) Establish an advisory group on the buffer zone policy and institutional setting.
b) Information collection and analysis through a series of dialogues with the local communities and authorities to better understand their socio-economic and environmental conditions.
c) Prepare guidelines on a buffer zone policy and institutional setting through meetings with all of the stakeholders.
d) Establish buffer zone models in Ranong, Phang-Nga, and other provinces to examine their size and shape, species composition, effectiveness to mitigate violent waves, erosive currents and winds, socio-economic benefits to the local communities, management systems, etc.
e) Prepare a series of reports.
4. Expected Output
a) Advisory services to the Government on the policy and institutional settings on buffer zone issues.
b) Demonstrations of model buffer zones combined with the basic information collections and analysis.
c) Promote public awareness on buffer zone functions and tangible benefits.
d) Improve buffer zone management systems with the local communities and authorities.
e) Enhanced protective measures against sea-born disasters toward the future.
5. Input Required
a) Personnel
b) Travel costs (excluding the study tours)
c) Establishment of model buffer zones with the supply of selected tree species, if necessary
d) Study tours to other countries
e) Workshops and conferences
f) Report editing and printing
6. Project Duration
Two years
7. Project partners
The project will be carried out by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), under the technical and operational support of FAO. A financial and coordination support of UNDP is expected. It is also encouraged to work together with UNEP and other donor-sponsored programmes that deal with the same or similar subjects.
8. Budget
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a) Personnel: |
US$40,000 |
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b) Travel costs: |
US$10,000 |
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c) Establishment of model buffer zones: |
US$40,000 |
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d) Study tours: |
US$20,000 |
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e) Workshops and conferences: |
US$18,000 |
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f) Report editing and printing: |
US$12,000 |
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Total: US$140,000 |
