Thaiphusa sirikit and other valuable biological resources. The research has inspired and generated a new body of knowledge that has already appeared in scientific journals and other publications. This has been helpful in boosting public awareness of biodiversity. This joint project has also supported training for the local community, school teachers and students in protecting 12,000 acres (30,000 rai) of the Western forest complex. The research project was conducted in two phases from 2002 to 2007. Figure 3. Youth participated in PTT’s mangrove planting activity. 50 THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY Thus far, there have been 396 awardees from the community, individual and youth categories. These people were able to increase and conserve forest cover in 85 communities by more than 640,000 acres (1,600,000 rai). They also conserved more than 10,000 acres (25,000 rai) of mangrove forest in Thailand. Through the award, PTT also recognized 82 role models and 59 youth groups who are crucial in promoting conservation in Thailand. These champions help mainstream biodiversity conservation into the lives of 20 different tribes who live in the country, including Mhong, Karen, Yao, Akha , and Paka Kor Yor. 84 Tambons on the Sufficient Path Project To honor His Majesty the King on the auspicious occasion of his royal 80th birthday, PTT introduced “84 Tambons (Sub-district) on a Sufficient Path Project” in 2007. A Tambon is a rural administrative division at a sub-district level compromising of a few villages. The project is inspired by His Majesty the King’s philosophy of sufficiency economy in the development of people’s living condition in the rural areas through self-reliance. The 84 targeted Tambons were selected from two dedicated groups. The first group, known as the Nine Pilot Tambons, was from the Green Globe Award network, a forested area of the One Million Rai Reforestation Project, civil society groups, and the communities where PTT operates. The second group is composed of volunteer Tambons that responded to the announcement to join the project. In December 2007, PTT and the first nine Tambons pledged to undertake the project with unwavering commitment to bestow the target area to His Majesty. After accepting applicants nationwide for the second phase, the project selected 42 additional Tambons. Development and Promotion of the Utilization of Vetiver Grass This project is dedicated to educating people about the importance of vetiver grass, a tropical plant which has become a popular low-cost and efficient system for soil and water conservation, soil stabilization, pollution control, and waste water treatment. To date, PTT has engaged over Following the success of the biodiversity research in the Thong Pha Phumi Project, PTT conducted a three-year research from Had Khanom to Kao Nan (Nan Mountain), Nakorn Sri Thammarat Province. The research demonstrated an ability to combine core knowledge and sustainable development for the conservation of natural resources to create a knowledge base of bio-resources from seashore to mountain. This has never been done before in Thailand. It also involves the study of interrelationships between the community and biological resources in the area. Green Globe Award Launched in 1999, PTT’s Green Globe Award is a programme that recognizes individuals and groups who dedicate their lives in biodiversity conservation and environmental rehabilitation.
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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