Papers 9: annex 6.14

Annex 6.14
A place for indigenous people in protected areas,
Surin Islands, Andaman Sea, Thailand

Revision Date:

4^th October 2000.

Title:

A place for indigenous people in protected areas, Surin Islands, Andaman Sea, Thailand.

Goals:

To create a dialogue among the Surin Islands’stakeholders;

to encourage the maintenance of appropriate technology and ‘wise practice’ through the understanding and appreciation of indigenous knowledge;

to ensure the continuity of indigenous cultural pride and identity;

to provide a model of cultural and natural environmental conservation to be adapted to other islands with a similar context.

Location:

Surin Islands National Park in Phang-nga Province, Thailand.

Starting date:

1998, the project has been divided into several phases.

Partners:

Surin Islands National Park Administration; Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute; various other governmental and non-governmental organizations; UNESCO: Culture Sector (Bangkok Office), Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Western Pacific Office (Bangkok), Coastal Regions and Small Islands (CSI) platform.

Pilot project
leader:

Dr. Narumon Hinshiranan,
Chulalongkorn University Social Research Institute (CUSRI), Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Tel: + 66 2 218-7375, Fax: + 66 2 255-2353.
e-mail: hnarumon@chula.ac.th

Description:

There have been three major activities:

Stakeholder Workshops (November 1998), to discuss the wants and needs of the indigenous Moken and their socio-economic options which require commitment and support from relevant parties. Several issues were brought up during the first workshop including Moken-defined quality of life, park regulation and enforcement on the Moken, and building community strength. More concrete strategies were developed during the second workshop and each stakeholder took on a number of tasks to help with some of the urgent issues. Future project activities were drafted after the workshops.

Primers Production (March 1999 - present), to produce illustrated primers in 4 languages for the Moken, Urak Lawoi, and Thai children. There are 20 short texts portraying Moken’s and Urak Lawoi’s marine livelihood, boat travel, important rituals, curing practice, legend, etc. The final primers (1,000 copies) will be printed and distributed to 10 local schools attended by sea nomad children. Not only will the primers enable the children to learn through their own language, they will also encourage cultural enthusiasm and pride.

Interdisciplinary Resource Assessment Studies (December 1999 - May 2000), to survey the biological aspects of Moken resource use and its impact on the natural ecosystem, and to examine the indigenous knowledge of terrestrial and marine resources and the traditional conservation practices. The active participation of the Moken in these studies was crucial since only the Moken know the ecological history of the islands that they inhabit. The 8 graduate students (from marine science, forestry, and anthropology) who conducted the assessment presented their findings in a seminar and the recommendations were presented to the Park Superintendent in an attempt to incorporate the indigenous resource management practices into modern conservation efforts.

Achievements
& Assessment:

Dialogue between stakeholders. The workshops have encouraged a continued dialogue between the parties involved in the Surin Islands natural and cultural environment conservation. Assistance and co-operation have been recruited from several sources, such as a craft training offer from the Bangkok Art College and a turtle conservation fund from the Wildlife Fund Thailand.

Draft primer tested and prepared for final production. The primers (200 copies) were tested in 5 local schools, and feedback from teachers and children will be used in the final production. A few copies were also distributed to local residents and tour operators and received positive responses for creating more cultural understanding and appreciation. There have been several requests for continuing the series of primers. The primers will be published at the end of 2000.

Resource Assessment Studies. Recommendations from the resource assessment studies were presented in the seminar attended by the Marine Park Division Deputy Director and the Park Superintendent. A report on the resource assessment will be prepared by the end of 2000. There is also an initiative to set up a research information center on the islands.

Future
directions:

Assessment of Moken’s health situation and needs, and increase their awareness of the importance of health and dental care. Biodata survey to better understand the population size and dynamics.

Enhance the Moken’s ability to produce good quality handicrafts, based on their traditional skills, patterns and techniques.

To facilitate inter-school exchange between children from the adjacent mainland province and the Moken children. This may generate a spin-off effect such that the relationships between the Fisheries Officers, the Park Rangers and the Moken are improved.

Carry out additional resource assessment surveys of certain over-exploited shellfish species and sea cucumbers and design appropriate measures for replenishment.

Reinvigorate the oral tradition of the Andaman Sea tribes, including the Moken and the Uruk Lawoi, through the analysis of old legends and animated discussions. Particular attention will be paid to the environmental conservation message contained in these legends.

Design and establish a dedicated website for the project.

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