Building coastal resilience to reduce climate change impact in Baan Tha Klong, Thailand

Summary of Adaptation Challenge

Baan Tha Klong is a coastal village located in Koh Lanta district in the province of Krabi by the Andaman Sea. In the past fishing served as the main source of income. Due to overfishing, pollution and increasing extreme weather events, fish stocks decreased. Nowadays rubber and palm farming form the main livelihoods, whereas fishing provides only an additional income. The community faces severe environmental degradation such as loss of mangrove forest area due to rubber and palm tree cultivation. The trees along the coast functioned as natural protection against strong winds and high waves. Since the loss of this natural barrier, the monsoon winds, which occur from June until November, cause damages to infrastructure, fishing tools and trees.

Methodology

CARE project staff and governmental and community representatives conducted a “Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis” to gain information on climate change impact on livelihoods and existing adaptation strategies in target communities. Based on these findings adaptation projects with communities and local government were designed. A feasibility study was conducted to ensure that interventions are climate smart. Local government is additionally trained in budgeting to be able to integrate best adaptation practices into development plans. Experiences are then shared among Indonesian and Thai stakeholders and CARE staff to increase knowledge.

Adaptation Options

In response to the increasing impact of monsoon winds the local community identified the following activities to reduce the disaster risk and to increase marine resources in Baan Tha Klong:

• Mangrove restoration and management of mangrove areas for protection against flooding and coastal erosion and as important ecosystem stabilizers
• Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD) to enhance fish stock near the canal to provide a source of food during monsoon time when fishermen cannot fish offshore
• Improving access to weather information and development of early warning systems (http://www.pbwatch.net/WR-Eng.html)

Key Messages

Communities have already started to adapt to the changing environment. Existing approaches which were in line with the developing strategies of local and provincial government were further improved with support from technical experts. Best practices are integrated into development plans and will be implemented by the local government in the future.

Lessons Learnt

Involving stakeholders from different levels in the project and the data assessment helps to create awareness about climate change. Climate focal points that are familiar with the local government agenda are appointed to ensure the mainstreaming of climate issues in different sectors.

• Download Thailand CVCA report