ENSIS TEAM HELPS REBUILD AFTER BOXING DAY TSUNAMI

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ENSIS TEAM HELPS REBUILD AFTER BOXING DAY TSUNAMI
09 April 2007 - CSIRO

Scientists from Ensis are undertaking a project in Thailand to help reforest the small island of Pra Thong, which bore the brunt of the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004. The 75 square kilometre island, lying off Thailand’s south west coast in the Andaman Sea, lost 200 of its population of 1500 people and three of its four villages. As the giant wave swept inland, it also took with it acres of natural forest and cash crops such as cashew nut trees.

With funding from AusAID, Ensis research scientists Khongsak Pinyopusarerk and John Doran began a 12-month project in May this year to provide on-site technical advice and develop an appropriate model to restore the ecology and the environment of Pra Thong.

The model will be delivered to the Thai Royal Forest Department by May 2007.

Mr Pinyopusarerk says the aim is to develop a plan to reforest the island with trees that will provide a better buffer against a tsunami and give the local people greater confidence.

“The model is focused on rehabilitation of coastal areas, either through plantations or the re-creation of natural forests,” Mr Pinyopusarerk says.

“With funding from AusAID, Ensis research scientists Khongsak Pinyopusarerk and John Doran began a 12-month project in May this year to provide on-site technical advice and develop an appropriate model to restore the ecology and the environment of Pra Thong.”“We’re trying to plant trees that will be of use to the local people, that they can use for timber and to make useful things such cray pots.

“We have already established a 10ha demonstration forest on the coastal area of the island, using a mixture of local and exotic species, which is the first step of this process.”

Mr Pinyopusarerk and Dr Doran will return to Pra Thong in January to assess the progress of the demonstration forest.

One of the major issues that the project is addressing is the impact of salt damage to certain species.

“Cashew nut trees succumbed to salt where other species have suffered but survived,” Mr Pinyopusarerk says.

“With funding for the project provided by AusAID and a contribution from the Thai government, the management plan will include recommendations for the selection of new species of trees.”

Ensis scientists and agencies in Thailand have been working together for the past 20 years on various re-afforestation and training projects.

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