Participatory mangrove conservation and restoration project for sustainable development: Grow, share, and protect the mangrove project Nathamon Kalumpabutr Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL E-mail: nathamon.kal@cpf.co.th Jeeranee Janrungautai Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd E-mail: jeeranee.jan@cp.co.th Abstract-Mangrove ecosystems are specific and outstanding as connecting land and sea. Mangroves help to balance nature, absorb carbon dioxide and produce enormous amount of oxygen. It is recognized that mangroves are prosperous centers of biodiversity contributing to many aspects of human well-being. Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF), who realizes the environmental, social, and economic importance of mangroves to the country, therefore, has initiated “Grow, Share, and Protect the Mangrove” project in 5 strategic areas; Rayong, Samut Sakhon, Chumphon, Songkla, and Phang Nga. The project partners consist of government, the private sector, and local communities. It was learned from the project to use local knowledge to promote the survival rate of new planted mangroves in the shorelines with high erosion rate and disturbed by abundant wastes. Furthermore, the importance of area preparation by plantation of suitable plants was experienced. It is expected that this practical knowledge could be extended to the similar mangrove plantation areas. Throughout the course of the project the biodiversity information such as quantities of benthos, zooplankton, phytoplankton, land or ecotone and marine animals were also estimated and recorded for resource management purposes. It is anticipated that the project reinforces Thailand’s Mangrove Management Master Plan. It is also remarkable that the mangrove conservation and restoration of the project supports the achievement of many of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 14; Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. “Grow, share, and protect the mangrove” project according to CPF’s mangrove strategy 1. Principles and Reasons From the past 1993 to 2013 under the “CPF which encourages Thai people to be part of a grow mangrove” Project, more than 300,000 mangrove trees were planted. In 2014, CPF expanded the project to be “Grow Share Protect the Mangrove” with the collaboration with Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Off i c e (Public Organization) and Civic Network to support and promote the conservation of soil water forest and biodiversity under the concept 222 Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
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