Golden Royal Jubilee Reforestation Project In 1994, PTT launched the Golden Royal Jubilee Reforestation Project in honor of the King of Thailand on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of his accession to the throne. Under this project, PTT has reforested 407,499.2 acres (1,018,748 rai) of land in 416 Forest Plantation Targets (FPT) covering 48 provinces nationwide. The trees in the reforested areas absorbed a cumulative volume of 18.17 million tons of carbon dioxide and released 14.5 million tons of oxygen between 1994 and 2008. Research shows that there are 100 species of fauna including 50 big animals such as bulls, elephants, hornbills, tigers, red bulls and 4,000 species of flora in the reforested area. Apart from forest rehabilitation and protection, the company also promoted income-generating activities to improve the quality of life of 150,000 in over a hundred villages all over the country. The Sirinath Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Centre In the heart of Pak Nam Pran in Thailand’s Pranburi District lies a vast expanse of land covered with lush mangroves. Over the past years, the area has been attracting over 100,000 visitors a year who want to learn more about mangroves and its importance to biodiversity. The 126- hectare (786 rai) mangrove forest was developed by PTT in 1997. From a once-abandoned shrimp farm, the area has been transformed into a healthy mangrove forest that now serves as home to 20 species of flora, 65 species of marine benthos, 15 species of birds and 19 species of fish. In honor of Her Majesty the Queen, the company built the Sirinath Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Centre within the mangrove forest in 2004 to promote a greater appreciation of mangroves. “Conversion of mangroves into shrimp farms has been a major factor in the degradation of mangrove ecosystems in Thailand and in many other parts of the ASEAN region. The need to rehabilitate and restore ecosystem functions in coastal areas is well recognized, particularly in light of the future threats the region faces from climate-related impacts. In this light, the Sirinath Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Centre serves Figure 2. Mangroves planting : A PTT’s CSR Activity. as an example of how degraded coastal areas can be rehabilitated and their natural functions restored,” Dr. Janaka de Silva, programme manager of Mangroves for the Future, said. “More importantly,” he added, “the centre serves as a hands-on learning facility for stakeholders on the process and benefits of rehabilitating degraded coastal areas and helps to share knowledge both nationally and internationally.” To further improve its mangrove conservation programme, PTT joined hands with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to raise the potential of the Sirinath Rajini Committee in its studies on using proper waste water management, harnessing the local wisdom of the Pranburi fishing community, and developing site-specific biodiversity management. To run the centre, PTT has invited the stakeholders of Sirinath Rajini Mangrove Ecosystem Learning Centre from various sectors to join the management committee in creating an effective and sustainable benefit to the community. Five sectors are represented: government and educational sector, community and non-government organizations, local private sector, PTT, and local administrative authorities. Biodiversity Resources Management Project In partnership with the Biodiversity Research and Training Programme (BRT), PTT conducts area-based research using a multidisciplinary approach. For the Thong Pha Phumi project, PTT found rare species such as Rajini crab or ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 49
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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