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Build Back Better - New post-tsunami vision for Koh Lanta unveiled
13 May 2005 – Krabi: A groundbreaking development strategy for Koh Lanta in Southern Thailand is being launched to bolster the island’s post-tsunami recovery efforts, while establishing the island as a shining example of economic and social harmony paired with forward-thinking natural resource management.
The Indigenous Livelihood Restoration and Sustainable Ecology For Lanta Island Project was officially kicked off today during a formal signing ceremony between the district of Koh Lanta, Krabi Province, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) and the Chumchon Thai Foundation.
In the spirit of UNDP’s tsunami recovery slogan “Build Back Better”, the project seeks to support local government, community leaders and the private sector to design and implement a visionary plan for developing the island in a sustainable, eco-friendly, tourism-smart, culturally-sensitive way, well beyond the immediate tsunami recovery needs.
“The tsunami tragedy is giving the people of Koh Lanta an opportunity to start afresh and think anew,” said Joana Merlin-Scholtes, UNDP’s Resident Representative. “This initiative will help the island develop into a prosperous and culturally diverse home for its people and environmentally-friendly destination for tourists.”
The project will begin by providing relief for two of the most severely tsunami- damaged fishing villages on Koh Lanta. While these villages are rehabilitated, local community organizations will also be formed. Collaborating with the development partnership, these organizations will ensure that victims of the tsunami will be the ‘prime movers’ of their own future development.
The partnership will then turn its attention to the preservation Koh Lanta’s cultural heritage. The island’s unique mixture of Chinese, Muslim and Sea Gypsy peoples presents a golden opportunity for cultural tourism. The project will catalogue and study indigenous knowledge, including traditional ways of life, native arts, heritage, food and culture. Special attention will be paid to knowledge that promotes livelihoods in harmony with nature.
“Koh Lanta is rich in biodiversity as well as cultural diversity where Chinese, Muslim and Sea Gypsy communities have lived in harmony for generations,” remarked Committee Member and Secretariat to the Project Mrs. Preeda Kongpaen. “As for natural resources, Koh Lanta has abundant forest land, beautiful beaches and plentiful marine resources. Koh Lanta’s unique identity, diversity and natural resources must be properly preserved and managed by the people of Koh Lanta.”
As a next step, the partnership will devise an island-wide community development strategy based on nature and cultural heritage that can be integrated into a broader district plan.
“The unique identity of Koh Lanta lies in the hearts of the people and can be manifested in different activities such as the revival of indigenous culture and tradition, the promotion of natural resources, environmental awareness and the joint planning of community livelihood schemes in-line with provincial development strategies,” said Krabi Governor Mr. Arnond Phomnart.
The plan received substantial attention after the December 26 tsunami, following the Government’s announcement of its intentions to develop Koh Lanta as an eco-friendly tourist destination. In February 2005, a group of senators representing the House Team on Social Development and Human Security gave their overwhelming support for the plan’s emphasis on indigenous livelihood and environment conservation.
“This progressive project is in line with current government decentralization policies,” said Lanta District Chief Officer Mr. Prasith Phuchutwanitkul. “Local empowerment will eventually spread to all areas of the island facilitating community participation in making choices that affect the lives of everybody on Koh Lanta.”
“While it is hard to see anything positive coming out of the tsunami tragedy, it was certainly noted that the world’s ability to respond quickly to the emergency was only made possible by stronger partnerships between governments, non-governmental organizations, and private enterprises,” said Mr. Sountorn Chaokitka, Chairman of Koh Lanta Business Circle. “The tsunami relief and recovery effort shows that each partner brings special skills and resources to those in need. This project takes note of that effort, and by bringing together all stakeholders to design a future for Koh Lanta, rallies behind the continued spirit of rebuilding better in a post-tsunami Thailand.”
“Koh Lanta is the last of the Andaman’s pearls, and it is up to the people of Koh Lanta to shape it in the way we want,” said Mr. A-san Kuachart, the Head of Lanta Yai Subdistrict. “This project resonates our needs and steers us in the direction of sustainable tourism based on our indigenous way of life. We have the opportunity to guide Lanta’s economic growth and not repeat the over-development mistakes other islands have made. Let us work together in building a sustainable Lanta, and spread it’s legacy to the whole world.”
For more information call:
Mr. Prasith Phuchutwanitkul, Lanta District (0 7568 4699)
Mrs. Preeda Kongpaen, CTF (0 2314 3645)
Ms. Phansiri Winichagoon, UNDP (0 2288 1827)
Email: phansiri.winichagoon@undp.org
