GVI

Phang Nga Monthly Achievement Report

September 2015

A new partnership is formed between GVI Phang Nga and Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park

United Nations Millennium Development Goal
Ensure environmental sustainability
Global partnerships for development

Summary
Volunteers have been taking part in two new forest surveys, while beginning to compile a
complete species list for Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park; the surveys include a challenging
waterfall hike and a scenic coastal trail. The partnership with Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park is
at its beginning stages, but in the future we hope to expand the partnership to solidify our
commitment to environmental conservation in our local community.

Report
Volunteers were thrilled to embark on two new forest surveys in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park
now on the schedule for the GVI Phang Nga conservation project. These include both a
challenging hike on the Ton Chong Fah waterfall trail and a scenic walk on a coastal trail ending
at a beautiful sandy beach. This new research project is in partnership with the Thailand
Department of National Parks (DNP). The aim of our research is to produce a comprehensive list
of species found in Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park. This database will form a baseline for future
research and will provide the park management with a detailed guide of the animal species
found within the park.

Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park was initially established in 1991 as a terrestrial park and in 1995
was expanded to include marine areas as well. The park now encompasses 125km2. Due to the
habitat diversity of the park, including coastal forest, sandy beaches, dense forest and tropical
evergreen forest, the park is home to a large variety of flora and fauna. This large diversity of
fauna is what we at GVI Phang Nga hope to record.

On our hikes, volunteers survey the forest and the animal species within it using passive
techniques. No traps or snares are used with the exception of sweep nets to capture butterflies
for photo identification. When encountered, the GPS location of the species, the number of
individuals and the behavior of the organism is recorded. Photos and descriptions are taken for
identification back at base.

During the first month of our partnership, volunteers embarked on the Ton Chong Fah waterfall
hike once and the coastal trail three times. With a plethora of species spotted on every hike,
identification is already underway. GVI staff and volunteers have already been able to positively
identified nine species and we will continue to work on our database.

Whether it is clambering up the steep, muddy terrain at Ton Chong Fah waterfall, or relaxing on
the beach after the Khao Lak coastal trail, the two surveys have proven to be very popular with
both staff and volunteers. Everyone at GVI Phang Nga is looking forward to the progression of
the partnership with Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park in the future. Prospective projects include
habitat management, tourist management, trail management and English lessons for the staff

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and park rangers.

GVI continues to work towards its long-term objective to support coastal conservation efforts in
the Phang Nga area. If you would like to read more about this project and sign up to volunteer,
please visit our website, like our facebook page and follow us on twitter for the latest up to date
information direct from the field.

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