Making Mangrove - Seameo-SPAFA

The Bangpakong MangroveEco-Museum ProjectPisit CharoenwongsaThe Bangpakongriverstill visible on the banks of the Chao Phraya River andassociated canals in Bangkok.People are alienating themselves from nature, and thisis partly a result of the notion that an urban lifestyle ismore attractive and prosperous than remaining tied torural traditions. In the modern age, the use and abuseof water has become a serious environmental concern.manner because they are found right on the schoolenvirons, as such, they have direct access to the speciesand their habitat. These lessons can expand into findingways to use the species for the food industry, medicalindustry, or use in dyeing.Interestingly, drawings found all over the eco-museumwere drawn by students of science instead of art students,showing how well the students understand the lessonsthrough their ecological surroundings.The mangrove initiated by the school administration asa centre for environmental studies has so far won manyenvironmental awards.Naturally, as an on-going project, the eco-museum isevolving, and is not entirely complete in its present formand state.The museum is presented as a centre of ecology thatcould be developed into many other related projects inthe future, such as on water culture and recreation.Water CultureWater is our prime commodity, and has influencedimportant economic and political aspects of life forcenturies. On a community level, water has affectedthe way in which people carried out business, howthey travelled, and even provided opportunities forrecreation.Communication and trade via rivers became factors inthe growth of early societies. A traditional way of life isDisplay of a royalstatement at themuseumA Royal ConcernThe concluding statement that follows is a royal statementmade by H.M. the King on 10 May 1991, which is ondisplay at the Bangpakong Eco-Museum, a place wherethe King’s message is poignantly relevant:“Mangroves help sustain the ecosystem of coastalhabitats and the Gulf of Thailand. Yet it is now beingencroached upon and depleted by exploiters who careonly for their own benefits. Measures have to be takento protect, conserve, and increase mangrove acreage,especially of the Rhizophora (kongkang in Thai), whichis rather difficult to germinate because of the fluctuationof tide water. Concerned governmental agencies, suchas the Department of Forestry, the Department ofIrrigation and the Naval Hydrographic Department,should work together to find appropriate places togerminate the Rhizophora and thus sustain the growthof the mangrove.”18 Making Mangrove Eco-MuseumsMaking Mangrove Eco-Museums 19