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Sustainability and Stewardship

"Value of the Land" Award for Watershed Management Strategies of Palian Basin,

Trang Province

       November 4, 2022

Indicator 14.5.5

The Palian Basin is formed by the Banthat Mountain Range in the provinces of Phatthalung and Satun. It is 58 kilometers long and has seven major streams that flow through three districts (Yan Ta Khao, Palian, and Kan Tang) in Trang Province to the Andaman Sea at the Palian River's estuary in the Palian and Kan Tang districts.

According to the flow of the streams, these areas are rich in biodiversity and natural resources. Particularly important are the mangrove forests in the Palian Basin, which cover over 20,000 hectares and serve as habitats for juvenile aquatic animals and endemic species. More than 2,000 households in the Palian Basin rely on mangrove forests, and aquatic resources in the Palian river area. Clams and oysters are the most prominent aquatic animals in the Palian Basin.

Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) has implemented a management strategy for the Palian Basin watershed through research, innovation, and management tools. For example, the innovation in the title  "Information Technology System for Surveillance and Monitoring of Water Quality in Real-Time, Palian Basin, Trang Province" was developed by RUTS researchers for monitoring the quality of the water environment like dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, salinity, and temperature in the Palian River. This innovation provides early warning and critical data for water quality decision-making.

In terms of oyster culture and conservation, RUTS provided oyster hatchery facilities to produce oyster larvae and juvenile. The juvenile oysters from the hatchery of RUTS, Trang Campus, were transferred and released into the Palian River to enhance the oyster population.

RUTS researchers also developed and shared the innovation of a high-density system of oyster culture with the local community.  The innovative project aims to improve the well-being and quality of life in local fishing communities in Palian Basin, Trang Province, while also achieving sustainable oyster culture.

Furthermore, RUTS researchers investigated a mollusk conservation network in the Palian Watershed, Trang Province, in order to improve mollusk management measures. The findings revealed that the leaders play roles in defining mollusk conservation guidelines, providing a budget and preventing boats from raking mollusks within the conservation area. The secretary of the network plays a role in coordination with all network members. Network members had a high level of influence to control information flow within the network. Finally, the effectiveness and weaknesses of the mollusk conservation network were shared with the network's leader and members in order to improve network management.

The Watershed Management of Palian Basin, Trang Province, operated by RUTS, was selected and awarded the title "The value of the land" by the Office of the Prime Minister, Government of Thailand, for its effectiveness in promoting and conserving natural resources and the environment.

Related Links:

https://www.radio.rmutt.ac.th/?p=20529

http://rdi.rmutsv.ac.th/_info/?q=th/news/958-1647498800-349-170322

https://www.rmutsv.ac.th/th/news/040821-295-718536345

https://fishtech.rmutsv.ac.th/fishtech/th/news2533

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4843267829100123&set=a.4595811010512474