products (NTFPs) collectors which can help in conservation. From May to December 2009, 101 members of local NTFPs collectors joined the network. The current research involves surveying the site occupancy of Pileated Gibbon in the hunted-over valley. The study sites in Mae Hong Son are at Muang Paem and Aaela, located partly in Lum Nam Pai and San Pan Daen Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a fragmented forest with small and fragmented population of gibbons surrounded by mosaic ethnic landscapes of Black Lahu, Red Lahu, Karen, Lisu, Shan and Lau. The main ethnic landscape in the study site is Karen and Black Lahu. Forest fragmentation has been affected by rotational cultivation practices. The total population of gibbon in upper Mae Hong Son is about 300 individuals. Home range of the main study group is about 40 to 61 hectares. Artificial and habitat corridor have been initiated. For gibbon reintroduction, there is collaborative research with Lum Nam Pai WS as a releasing site and the Wildlife Rescue Centre for best practices on animal welfare and sources of gibbons for experimental releasing. Many elevated cages (4x6x6 meters with 2-3 meters above the ground) and their connectivity to rehabilitating gibbons were made before releasing near Susa Waterfall, Mae Suriya District. Rehabilitated gibbons include Dollar-Kookoo’s Family of four individuals and Talae-Pamai’s Family of three individuals. Activity budgets of both groups indicate high level of social behavior. It also shows that they are ready to be released into the forest. After demonstrating sexual behavior, Gibbon Group 1 welcomed a new baby in October 2011. The more we stay in the area, more gibbons (“Pambok”: one-year-old-baby in May 2010, and “Pangpag”, a juvenile female in December 2010) of local subspecies (H. lar carpenteri) from neighboring villages were donated to the project. This allows the future release of local subspecies. Sustainable Programmes The gibbon project is just one example of a research involving community and biodiversity conservation, which was driven and sustained by the research interest of an individual faculty member of Mahidol University. With additional support from the University for this kind of research, different biodiversity surrogates in various areas can be covered. Apart from encouraging more communities to get involved in conservation, supporting this type of research will also result in more accomplishments, as well as best practices and lessons learned. All accomplishments will contribute to the “University Social Responsibility,” extending from the traditional output of education and research responsibilities. Some important lessons can be learned from these small-scale initiatives which can be called “little conservation.” 1. These conservation actions are important at the local scale, but may be low priority at national or international scale. New and clear mechanisms of support should be established to firmly back this type of local initiative. 2. Given the low number of conservationists at the national scale, mechanisms to empower students to do real conservation work are necessary. For our studies, three Ph.D. students have been involved. Producing local conservationists should be encouraged and considered a priority. 3. Conservation researchers (both scientists and students) are mostly urban-based. To sustain conservation actions at the local scale, there is a need to develop a cadre of supporting staff called “para-conservationists”. A para-conservationist usually stays in the local area, loves nature, and helps manage conservation sites. Moreover, they should be willing to boost their capacity to implement conservation work. They should be another focus of actions to empower people in order to appropriately synergize conservation actions. Sustainable Strategy This research provides food for thought for universities that plan to establish research and education programmes on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. It is important to highlight some points that will help in replicating and scaling up this type of research. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY 65
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
To see the actual publication please follow the link above