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What's The Problem?

The extraordinary biodiversity found within coastal ecosystems of the North Andaman region of Thailand is under increasing pressure from unsustainable natural resource exploitation and development. The impacts of this degradation not only affect the unique natural flora and fauna of the area, but the local fishing communities as well. Such communities depend solely on the health of the surrounding environment for their livelihoods. Therefore, a very real need exists for increased environmental awareness and education in order to create and secure sustainable livelihoods.

MAP in partnership with Naucrates, an Italian Environmental NGO, has begun working to address this critical need through the establishment of a Coastal Community Resource Center (CCRC) in Lion Village on Phra Thong Island. The Lion community was built in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which completely devastated one of the three villages residing on the island. The creation of the CCRC was a giant step towards unifying the community through increased environmental awareness and education, however there is still more work needed to fully utilize the center for the community conservation and livelihood programs and activities. (>> For More Information Click Here)

LEARN MORE:
Timeline of MAP on Phra Thong Island
Where is Phra Thong Island?
What is a CCRC?

 What Is The Need?

Currently, the CCRC lacks basic facilities and is in need of structural improvements that are vital in providing the community and island a functional resource for environmental education and awareness activities. Your donation will provide the following improvements:

- Joining the Two Buildings with a Covered
  Walkway

- Waterproofing the Exterior

- Repairing the Roof

- Installing Windows

- Using Solar Panels to Power Computers

- Installing Rain Water Catchment System

- Provide Facilities for Volunteers (Kitchen, Basic
  Furniture, Storage Lockers)

What Is The Solution And Who Will Benefit?

Your assistance and support will benefit the health and security of Phra Thong Island’s interconnected natural and social communities. A strong and functioning CCRC will provide the region with a much needed core community resource aimed at building local capacity to manage and sustain coastal resources, while addressing problems of unsustainable resource use and development. The center will also serve as a base for conservation and education activities that are directly focused on producing and maintaining a strong balance between local sustainable livelihoods and natural habitat protection.

The wide range of activities will include:

- School Children’s Environmental Education
- Sea Turtle & Sea Grass Conservation and 
  Community-based Monitoring
- Mangrove Conservation, Restoration, and
  Community-based Management
- Community-Based Tourism with homestay and
  Eco-tourism programs
- Women’s Handicraft development as a
  supplementary livelihood
- Green Practices Demonstrations
- Visitor Center with Ecosystem Exhibits &
  Displays

These are exciting times for MAP-Asia and we sincerely invite you to join us by supporting the completion of the Lion Village Coastal Community Resource Center. Your generous donation will be matched dollar for dollar under a special $3,000 matching fund. It is with your assistance that we will be able to provide change that will have a lasting impact for generations to come.

Donate early to double your support through the available matching grant by clearly marking your donation with “CCRC Special Appeal”.

We greatly appreciate your support to make MAP-Asia’s first funding appeal a great success and we thank you on behalf of the Phra Thong Island community!

The coastal ecosystems of Thailand are threatened by increased development and unsustainable resource use. Raising local environmental awareness will help alleviate this pressure while promoting sustainable livelihoods.