Umphang District, A Community-Based Eco-Tourism Project
Umphang, part of Tak Province, is a small district located in northwestern Thailand close to the border with Myanmar. It is a relatively isolated community, and reaching it requires strong determination on the part of the traveler. By road, Umphang, is 668 kilometres from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand.
Umphang is only accessible by road from the town of Mae Sot. Travellers take Highway No. 1090 (the Mae Sot - Umphang route) for 165 kilometres. This road, complete with 1,219 curves, winds its way up and through the magnificent Thanon Thong Chai Mountains. Known for its spectacular beauty, this route has been named "Sky Road". Mae Sot to Umphang requires four to five hours of driving time in a mini-bus.
Mae Sot is accessible by a one hour flight from Chang Mai or Bangkok. Visitors who drive from Bangkok, and there are many, typically follow Phahonyothin Road (Highway No. 1) from Bangkok, via Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, and Kamphaeng Phet toTak, for approximately 425 kilometres. Seven kilornetres before reaching Tak, visitors turn left on Highway No. 105 (the Tak - Mae Sot route) to Mae Sot, a distance of 86 kilometres. An overnight stay in Mae Sot is usually required.
 The Umphang District abounds with spectacular waterfalls. |
Umphang, rich in forests and wildlife resources, is one of Thailand’s major watersheds. In order to protect this area, in 1989 the government declared the forests to be a wildlife reserve. The total reserve area is some 1,619,280 rai. (One rai is equivalent to approximately 1,600 square metres).
The southern area of Umphang Wildlife Reserve stretches to Thung Yai Naresuan and the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Reserve which was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1999.To the east it borders with Khlong Lan and Mae Wong National Park. This makes the area one of the largest, intact forests within Southeast Asia.
The Mae Klong River meanders through Umphang, serving as the major source for community water in several provinces before flowing into the Gulf of Thailand at Samut Songkhrarn Province. The river is well known for beaches, waterfalls, hot springs, steep cliffs, forests and wildlife. In addition, the portion of the river flowing through the Umphang Wildlife Reserve creates numerous small and large waterfalls including Thi Lo Su, a large and breathtakingly beautiful site sometimes described as Thailand's Niagara.
Umphang is also known for the simple lifestyle of its people, the cultural diversity of the northerners and the Karen people, as well as the preservation of its vernacular architecture within the context of a clean, green environment.
 Trekking is the easy way! |
Before tourism developed within the Umphang area, the local people focused primarily on agriculture. As with most areas in Thailand, the major crop was rice, though other grains were also harvested. Raising cattle, fishing from bamboo rafts in the Mae Klong River, and gathering wild produce was also common.
The Karen tribespeople, who are indigenous to the outer sub-districts, have always been very good farmers, but they are also known for their capacity to raise elephants and weave fabrics. In the early to mid-1980s, the beauty of Umphang and the Thi Lo Su Waterfall, coupled with bamboo rafting along the Mae Klong River, began attracting increasing numbers of tourists. Since that time, Umphang has attracted an increasing number of visitors each year, and many of the Karen people now earn at least a portion of their living from the tourism industry.
The development and growth of tourism within the Umphang District has been, for the most part, a local affair. Tourism programs, including trips, tours and support services such as accommodation and hospitality, have evolved under local management. This reflects both the isolation of the area and the entrepreneurial nature of the people.
One of the most popular tourist activities is bamboo or rubber rafting along the Mae Klong River. The starting point for these trips is in the district town of Umphang, and most trips end within the Umphang Wildlife Reserve. Although the rafting itself is a big attraction, most tourists are principally interested in experiencing the natural scenery of this vast forest tract, including the botanical diversity and the wildlife. Monkeys, gibbons, bears, barking deer, tigers and other wild cats, giant flying squirrels, and monitor lizards are found in this area, as well as approximately 200 species of birds including the hornbill.
A further journey by car and then on foot takes tourists to Thi Lo Su. Here there are elephant rides, forest treks and the opportunity to witness traditional Karen lifestyle. Especially attractive are the vernacular style houses. These are single storey dwellings built on poles and roofed with local Tong Tung leaves (a kind of dipterocarpus tree), wooden or earthen tiles, and with a staircase in front and a landing containing a bench running along railings and surrounded by a fence of log slabs.
During the peak season, most local farmers act as tourist guides, punters, mahouts, mini-bus drivers, housekeepers and cooks, providing additional and important family income. Many also operate independent travel agencies, guest houses and restaurants. In 1999 there were 24 authorised travel agencies in Umphang, and almost all were owned and operated by local people providing services directly to the tourist population.
Local people are supportive of the growth of tourism in the area, and actively participate in the creation of new services and activities. For them, tourism generates considerable employment, including opportunities to develop and own their own businesses. The result is higher per capita income and an improved lifestyle. Perhaps most noticeable are the increased opportunities for women and youth.
 The area is known for its biodiversity. |
The number of visitors to Umphang has increased dramatically. Specifically, from 1991 through 1994, the growth in annual tourists exploded, from 5,338 to 17,922. Although this was followed by a decrease in 1995, it was during this period that the issue of sustainability, particularly in light of the fragile nature of the area, became evident and critical.
During the rainy season, roughly May through October, the wildlife reserve can be accessed only by elephant or by trekking. Until the mid-1990s, this was the time of the year when the forest had the opportunity to, at least in part, regenerate itself. However, the large growth in the number of tourists was soon outstripping the capacity of the area to renew itself, even with the smaller number of tourists during the rainy season.
The large and growing numbers of tourists attracted to Umphang during its peak season, roughly from November until April, left an obvious and negative impression in two areas of focus. First, the lack of awareness, or simple disregard, for the areas resulted in a stream of litter and garbage especially along the Mae Klong River. Second, some of the most sensitive areas of biodiversity were affected by the pressure of the sheer number of tourists as they moved through the area. The wildlife reserve itself was simply not designed or managed for crowds.
It was clear that if tourism in Umphang continued to develop as it had during the first half of the decade, there would soon be massive environmental deterioration which, in turn, would have two logical outcomes. First, the tourists who came for the pristine experience would soon travel elsewhere. Second, the local people, who by this time expected tourists and had incorporated this economic influence into their lifestyle, would be left with neither the tourists nor the income stream. This magnificent natural environment would become folklore for both tourists and locals.
In 1994, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in cooperation with the Umphang District Administration and the Royal Forest Department, established a committee for the coordination and promotion of sustainable tourism with Umphang District. Instead of uncontrolled growth and a hands-off approach to the impact of tourism, the goal was to support and develop tourism in a managed praxis that would continue to involve the local communities. This would directly benefit the people of the area and protect the environment so that natural resources would be available now and in the future for the people of the area as well as for generations of tourists.
This committee included representatives from a variety of public and private sector agencies, emphasizing local participation as well as involvement from Bangkok. The committee focused on the design and development of strategies to create and implement a broad-based tourism plan that would directly attack the current problems. These strategies were then implemented over a four and a half year period, from March 1995 through late 1998. In total, the committee implemented 13 projects under seven themes, all of which were designed to promote the area as a community-based, eco-tourism destination.
 Heaven for lepidopterists. |
The first step or theme in this redevelopment program was the Public Campaign Plan. The goal of this theme was to stimulate awareness among the people in the Umphang Distrrict about tourism generally, as well as an understanding of the value and significance of their natural environment, cultural heritage and unique lifestyle. Specific activities included a public/private sector seminar that encouraged community leaders and tour operators to work with government officials on the planning and promotion of the area. This approach built bridges between the various groups and allowed them to see where their interests converged and where they could work together for mutual benefit. Other activities included an environmental awareness campaign focusing on tree planting and a training project to educate hilltribe people on the growing potential for tourism as well as their probable involvement.
The second theme focused on Human Resource Development. In this context the goal was to educate local tourism operators and service providers on tourism development programs and the importance of environmental protection, guest safety and security. Training programs for youth were held, as well as more directed sessions for rafters, mahouts, drivers and guides. For the latter group, emphasis was placed on language training, guiding techniques and environmental maintenance.
The Handicraft Promotion theme was geared largely to women. The goals were increased employment opportunities and broader income distribution. Training was provided in preserving local food and adapting local produce for sale as souvenirs. This training was sponsored by the Department of Industrial Promotion and the Department of Agricultural Extension.
The Cultural Environment Preservation theme was implemented over a two year period and had as its goal the preservation of older buildings and other structures. This theme encouraged local people to appreciate the importance and value of vernacular architecture. For community heritage, as well as tourism, it is important that the cultural environment be protected and with as much emphasis as is placed on the natural environment. One of the activities supporting this theme was an old and ancient houses contest. Prizes were awarded, and, as a result, an old and ancient houses club was established. TAT has since provided the club with information on the development of home-visit and home-stay programs, the goal being to link economic benefits with cultural preservation at a local level.
Upgrading Accommodation Standards was the fifth theme. In 1996, this theme promoted education in the area of tourism accommodation and facilities, with a special emphasis on environmental protection and energy savings. Better facilities encourage more tourists and increased spending. The goal continues to focus on developing facilities that are in harmony with the environment.
The Marketing and Promotion theme familiarized local tour operators with the development of travel promotions. This included an educational tour to the International Travel Show held at the Quen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, where local operators were able to see effective travel and tourism programs. It also encouraged local operators to develop contacts with larger tour companies. Included in this theme was an Umphang nature trip for Bangkok travel agents.
Finally, the seventh theme, Public Relations, centred on a media tour that provided an opportunity for radio broadcasting producers to learn about eco-tourism, and the Umphang District in particular. Emphasis was placed on general education including how to conduct oneself in a fragile natural environment, or how to experience an eco-tourism destination.
In addition to these thematic programs, TAT has recently published an eco-tourism guidebook, titled, Nature Guidebook Umphang, Tak Province. The goal of this publication is to develop environmental awareness and to develop greater awareness of Umphang District.
The results of this tourism management program have been tangible and significant. Most importantly, the trend toward unbridled tourism with its associated environmental degradation has been reversed. Tourism problems have been addressed, primarily through cooperative efforts and agreements involving local community members. For example, the pressing problem associated with the rapidly increasing number of visitors, which in turn was causing almost irreversible environmental damage, has been addressed by placing limits on the numbers of visitors according to their type of visitation program.
During the development and implementation of this project, a major goal has been sustainable employment and the broader distribution of tourism-related income throughout the community. While in 1994 it appeared that tourism was potentially growing out of control and might in the end cause its own demise along with that of the fragile environment, it now appears that the area is supporting increased growth in tourism revenues. This income is more widely distributed within the community and the environment is being protected.
Micro and small businesses are on the rise, and various groups are banding together for cultural, economic and social goals. Examples include the Umphang Tourism Promotion and Conservation Club, the Old and Ancient Houses Preservation Club, and the women’s association which produce local products and souvenirs for the tourism industry.
Overall, the major theme has been “cooperation” as demonstrated by the involvement of both the public and private sectors. Government has played a key role in harnessing community energy and bringing certain expertise to play, but it has been the local people who have agreed to, and implemented, this new management plan and programming. Instead of short term gain, longer term planning and cooperation is producing results that will be longer lasting and enjoyed more broadly.
Building on the success of Umphang, TAT has plans to use this model for developing sustainable, environmental tourism where the programming is community-based and the local people are the major beneficiaries. In effect, the Umphang District Eco-Tourism Program has turned out to be a model pilot project for other areas in the country.
Contact:
Watcharee Churugsa
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Le Concorde Building 202 Ratchadaphisek Road Huai Khwang
Bangkok , Thailand, 10310
66 2 694-1222 (Phone)
66 2 694-1220-1 (Fax)
rehovot@hotmail.com
http://www.tat.or.th
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