The sea is considered to be a final source of food for human beings. However at present, the natural resources which are provided by the sea have been exploited carelessly resulting in the unavoidable degradation. In addition, the course of nature has contributed to the degradation of itself. For example, the typhoon devastates the coastal natural resources and made the rehabilitation extremely difficult. As a consequence, the country and its population are suffering this degradation both directly and indirectly.

It is evident that the coral, mangrove forest, seaweed, plankton, sea-grass are major constituents of the marine eco-system. They constitute the richness of natural resources, the habitation, livelihood , egg-laying and nesting places for all types of marine species. These natural resources are being depleted by human activities, both directly and indirectly. Such activities include the expansion of industrial area, housing area, agricultural area the disposal of

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community and industrial waste. Besides, there are tourist industry, near-shore and undue fishery, the smuggling of sand and aggregate for construction.

On the 4th of November 1989, the typhoon ?gay? had devastated the coral and coastal eco-system of the target area. After the incident, there has been a few minor storms that continuously worsen the situation. Up to now , no government agencies bring serious attention to cope with the situation while the dissemination and promotion of conservation awareness among private sectors are essential and urgent.

Under the above situation, Pathiw Wittaya School in conjunction with the Administration Organization of Tambol Chumkho and Tambol Bangson had initiated an approach to cope with the problems. This approach is to educate and instil into youths and coastal communities the conservation awareness such that the conservation and protection activities proceed in a sustainable way. In addition, this joint effort intends to provide means of dissemination of information and experience to wider audiences. Therefore, this approach is meant to conserve and rehabilitate the coral and coastal environment for both present and future time.

Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects):

1. To provide youths with educational opportunity on coral and coastal & marine environmental conservation
2. To instil into youth and coastal communities and disseminate experience on coral and environmental conservation
3. To establish a focal point for experience and information dissemination on coral and environmental conservation
4. To initiate and establish eco-tourism in the locality managed by communities

Activities to be carried out under project:

1. To launch training and educational process, each on pertinent subject, for the following groups:
- 70 youths who are interested and selected for the purpose
- 1,000 youths from locality and other schools / institutes
- 15-20 guides for eco-tourism
- Fishing communities

2. To establish a marine museum to be a place for education & information for youths and other interested population
3. To initiate the Coral and Environmental Conservation Fund
4. To produce media then disseminate amongst schools , private sectors and fishing communities in the locality

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1. Pathiw Wittaya School and the Administration Organization of Tambol Chumkho and Tambol Bangson
2. Fishing communities in and around the target area
3. Youths and students both from the target area and other locality

Anticipated results of project:

1. The 1,000 trained youths possess conservation background and ability on diving. The selected 70 trained youths possess insight/experience and are instilled with conservation awareness and able to disseminate the experience onto wider audiences.
2. The trained youths and fishermen possess ability and skill required in the eco-tourist business.
3. There emerges a centre for marine and coastal conservation education for youths and other interested population.

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