E-book Hala-Bala wildlife to word heritage

One of the important principles that the working team of the Basic
Information Study Group advancing the Hala-Bala Forest to be a World
Heritage highly regards as the great importance in the operation is the
opportunity in which “community participation” can be strongly fostered,
as the community members are the stakeholders in the area, whether in
the old scenario or in pursuit of new direction, taking care of the forest.
The operations that have been implemented so far involved the
meetings held to hear the opinions and discuss the topic with the network,
both the government and the public sectors. The objective was to raise
the opinions and exchange information on various issues, so all possible
related aspects can be covered. Team staff went to Yala and Narathiwat
to meet the villagers in the communities to listen and exchange the
opinions, ensuring that there were always opportunities for the commu-
nities to be involved in the preservation of the natural heritage. There
was a consultation with General Manee Chanthip, Special Representative
to the Government, about the possibility of implementing the project.
The topic that should be well-thought in particular was a meeting with
the heads of the forest agencies, who were directly responsible for the
benefits of the forest. To illustrate, on December 14, 2010, at Hala-Bala
Wildlife Sanctuary, Waeng District, Narathiwat Province, Assistant Professor
Dr. Sombat Yothathip, President of Yala Rajabhat University, assigned Dr.
Nirun Kiatliekunupakarn, Vice President for Policy and Planning, Assistant
Professor Dr. Thanakul Kutipakdee, Assistant to the President in Benefits
and Revenue Division, Ms. Praewsri Dermraj, Director of the Science Center,
and personnel of Yala Rajabhat University to hold a meeting to discuss the

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possible means to advance Hala-Bala Forest to be an ASEAN heritage
and the World Heritage, along with the personnel of Hala-Bala Wildlife
Sanctuaries, Waeng District. That momentous meeting was to plan for
the data collection and to pave the way for integrated coordination
on the basic information of natural resources and environment in the
Hala-Bala Forest. That further included the analysis of medicinal plants
in the Hala-Bala Forest. A group of women in Loh Jood Sub-district
collected herbs and processed them into the community’s products
to create added value. This was a crucial step to integrate and build
cooperation with local agencies, to promote and advance the process
of registering Hala-Bala Forest as ASEAN heritage and the World Heritage.
The working team was also aiming to strengthen the cooperation with
local communities for local development in the area of environment,
based on the community participation on a sustainable manner.
And most importantly, the working team had the opportunity to
meet with General Prawit Wongsuwan, Deputy Prime Minister, to report
the preliminary information and to ask for his advice and guidance for
future operations.
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In fact, there have been attempts to promote and have the
Hala-Bala Forest listed as “ASEAN Heritage” for a certain period of time.
On December 23, 2019, for instance, Mr. Jongklai Woraphongsathorn,
Deputy Director-General of Department of National Parks, Wildlife and
Plant Conservation, on behalf of the Chairman of the ASEAN Heritage
Parks, presided over as the chairman of the meeting of the Board of
Directors for the ASEAN Heritage Parks No. 2/2019 at a conference room,
2nd floor, Operational Center Building, Department of National Parks,
Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The meeting attendants were the Board
of Directors and related persons, namely Dr. Anak Phatthanawiboon,
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thammasak Yimin, Asst. Prof. Dr. Datchanee Emphan, Ad-
visor to the Board of Directors, Mr. Damras Phoprasit, Mr. Chonlathorn
Chumnankid, Director of National Parks and Protected Areas Innovation
Center, and the representatives from key responsible agencies, and all
9 Heads of the National Park Areas to be proposed as the new ASEAN
Heritage Parks.
The meeting of the Board of the ASEAN Heritage Parks No.
1/2019 thoroughly discussed the areas that have the potential to be
proposed as 9 new ASEAN Heritage Parks, which cover both national
park areas and wildlife sanctuaries. The Heads of the Areas were invited
to acknowledge the submission process and criteria for consideration of
ASEAN Heritage Parks, in order to prepare and complete the information
and documentation required for the final submission. The 9 new areas
to be submitted as ASEAN Heritage Parks consisted of 1. Doi Inthanon
National Park, 2. Tham Luang - Khun Nam Nang Non National Park, 3.

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Doi Phu Kha National Park, 4. Thung Salaeng Luang National Park - Khao
Kho National Park - Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, 5. Phu Khieo Wildlife
Sanctuary – Nam Nao National Park, 6. Phu Kradueng National Park, 7.
Phu Wiang National Park - Phu Kao - Phu Phan Kham National Park, 8.
Khao Sok National Park, and 9. Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary- Bang Lang
National Park.
Criteria for determining a certain area to be “ASEAN Heritage”
Consist of 10 aspects, which are:
1. Ecological abundance/fertility
2. Representation of the region
3. Naturalness
4. It is highly important for conservation.
5. Area protected by law
6. An approved management plan
7. Characteristics of trans-border or transboundary
8. Uniqueness
9. The important links between urbanity and ecosystem
10. Importance of the diversity of precious rare and endangered
organisms

World Heritage Site
(World Heritage Criteria)
Cultural and natural heritage must have outstanding values in
the international level, with the establishment of a committee to make
a decision, based on the 10 specified criteria. The sites proposed to be
registered as World Heritage registration will be considered and announced
the World Heritage if they possess one or many qualifications consist-
ent with the criteria. Of 10 items, the first six will be the criteria for the
consideration of cultural heritage whereas the last four for determining
natural heritage.
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1. It is a masterpiece of ingenious creativity.
2. It demonstrates the importance of exchanging values of
human beings at a particular time, or in any cultural area of the world
in terms of developments in architecture or technology, art and city
planning, or landscape design.
3. It is a wonderful and unparalleled testimony representing
customs and traditions, or civilizations that remain or have lost.
4. It is an outstanding example of all types of buildings and
works from architecture or technology, or landscape knowledge that
represents a critical step or steps in human history.
5. It is a striking example of the traditional settlement of human,
land use, or the use of the marine resources, which is representative of
a particular culture (or cultures), or the interaction of man and environ-
ment, especially when they are threatened by the effects of irreversible
changes.
6. It has a direct or conspicuous relationship with the events
or traditions that involve with the concepts, beliefs, arts and literature
internationally distinguished (this clause must be linked to the other
above criteria).
7. It contains excellent natural phenomena, or the areas exhib-
iting excellent natural beauty, and is of aesthetic importance.
8. It is an outstanding example that represents an important
step or event in history of the world, including the record of life, the
geological tendency in important earth formation, or is important to the
geological or geomorphological conditions.
9. It is an outstanding example that reflects the important
movement that is being carried out in the fields of ecology and biology,
in the evolution and development of terrestrial ecosystems, ecosystems
in fresh water sources, coast and sea, and plants and animals.

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10. It contains the natural habitats, which are important and
significant in terms of the conservation of biodiversity in habitats. This
includes heavily threatened species, which have universal outstanding
values in the concepts of science or conservation.
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Preparation for public relations channels and the compilation
of the book “Hala-Bala: Wildlife to World Heritage” in tandem with the
organization of talks to gather ideas and opinions from various sectors,
and the preparation for the exhibition reflecting the abundance of
Hala-Bala Forest that will occur in the future, were the steps to be
taken, to achieve the Action Plan, advancing Hala-Bala to the ASEAN
transboundary heritage and “World Heritage.”
The main approach from now on is to seek the network of
cooperation from various sectors, both government, public and pri-
vate sectors, in order to prepare the data covering all dimensions, and
especially the inclusion as “National agenda” or “Cabinet resolution”
to drive “Hala-Bala to the ASEAN Transboundary Forest and the world
heritage. To achieve this goal, it requires the cooperation from all parties
concerned, through the community participation, to make this forest a
long-lasting treasure with sustainability.

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“My intention is always to seek ways to improve (people’s quality
of life in) the southern region around the end of 2008 to 2009. Therefore,
there have been consultations with people and several departments
to help find a way to improve the quality of herbs in the south, where
natural resources are abundant. Initially, we concentrated on improving
the quality of herbs in the upper and central south, but, due to several
conditions, we have not seen much success. Later, the aim was shifted
to the area of 3 southern border provinces, for there are many reasons,
especially finding a way to help the villagers who have been affected by
the unrest in the area. That subsequently led to the Langasuka Model
Project.
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Hala-Bala Forest In the southern border areas have been widely
accepted for abundant natural resources. I have the opportunity to go
to the areas in both Yala and Narathiwat Provinces and that was such a
great experience. It would definitely be delightful if efforts to promote
and register the Hala-Bala Forest to be a world heritage were made, as
such initiative will truly sustain the forest fertility and benefit people, the
environment, and the society as a whole.”

Prof. Dr. Krisana Kraisintu

Global Scientific Award / Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service 2009

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“I have been accustomed to the southern border provinces
for a long time. One of the assigned roles is to suppress the members
of Malayan Communist Party (MCP) from the year 1983 to 1989. Fighting
was then replaced by peace negotiations. Those members became Thai
national co-developers. There were subsequently the establishments
of 9 villages, the allocation of land for cultivation, and occupational
promotion. Those 9 villages consisted of 5 villages of Baan Piyamit and
4 villages of Chulabhorn Phatthana, all of which were located in the
Hala-Bala Forest or the surrounding area. Such transformation truly led
to the commitment to preserve this important forest as well.
The conservation and management of forest resources in the
area is undeniably vital. I myself am responsible for the preparation of
the Pranamapithai Forest Park Project, Southern Region, Zone 2, of Yala
and Narathiwat Provinces, covering approximately 800,000 rai, together
with forestry agencies and administrative, to honor Her Majesty Queen
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Sirikit. The Forest Project has been in operation from 1991 to the present,
ensuring the abundance of the watershed and rainforest areas, which is
the largest and most fertile of Thailand. It is a great pleasure, then, if the
Hala-Bala Forest or the Pranamapithai Forest Park, the Southern Region,
Zone 2, are advanced and upgraded as an ASEAN transboundary legacy
and a World Heritage. That would truly preserve this forest in a sustainable
way. Our forest treasure would attract people from all over the world
to visit and help conserve it. It is of minor concern as to how long this
process would take because it is definitely worthwhile. “I am ready to
support and find the allegiance to advance this significant preparation
and to make it come true.”

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“The Center for Local Promotion and Development, Yala Rajabhat
University, which runs a number of projects benefiting the community,
has embraced the commitment to seeking the cooperation for the con-
servation and care of the Hala-Bala Forest, so it truly remains intact and
sustainable. This forest is highly important in terms of the conservation
of natural resources and the way of life and society, which has benefited
from the resources in the area for their daily life. During the past years,
several types of activities have been undertaken, positively contributing to
the betterment of plants, wildlife and communities. Finally, after rounds
of consultations among many parties concerned, there is a clear need
for advancing the Hala-Bala Forest to an ASEAN transboundary legacy
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and a world heritage. The working team and personnel of the Center
for Local Promotion and Development, both the executive level and
the operational level, had a meeting to discuss ways to promote Ha-
la-Bala Forest as an ASEAN transboundary legacy and a world heritage,
in collaboration with organizations, agencies, and relevant officers,
academics inside and outside of the area. An important element is to
exchange information among the communities, both in the Hala Forest
in Yala Province, and the Bala Forest in Narathiwat Province, to plan
and implement the data collection, to synchronize the integrated work
on basic information, natural resources and the environment multi-di-
mensionally, which is an important step for boosting the cooperation
among local agencies. The ultimate goal is to advance the Hala-Bala
Forest to an ASEAN transboundary legacy and a world heritage. That
would also be the best way to work on environmental development
with the community participation on a sustainable basis.”

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“Hala-Bala Forest is one of the most abundant forests in Asia, and
a great pride of the Aiyerweng Sub-district and the surrounding area. The
Aiyerweng Sub-district Administrative Organization has made a strategic
development plan, with a clear goal to transform Aiyerweng Sub-district
to a learning center for nature studies, along with the promotion for ecot-
ourism in the ASEAN region, under the cooperation with the key network.
In doing so, efficient team was hired to design the Project for Developing
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Natural Learning Center and Pro-
moting Ecotourism, Scenic Sea-
scape of Aiyerweng Sub-district,
or the construction of a skywalk
to view the sea of fog. This is
believed to be the way to make
the Natural Learning Center and
Ecotourism Promotion widely
known among ASEAN commu-
nity, and become successful in
conservation of resources and
forests in conjunction with ecot-
ourism, ultimately benefiting the
Hala-Bala Forest. Overall, when
reviewing all the efforts made,
the plan has been successfully implemented as expected.
The next phase would be the promotion for the Hala-Bala Forest to be
registered as an ASEAN transboundary legacy and a world heritage, so
it invites all parties concerned to be aware and help each other taking
care of this precious forest. It is imperative, then, that every sector has
to seriously commit themselves to the conservation of this forest, under
the integrated policies and effective management from all sectors. The
direction toward which this forest will be moved will have to be decided
and inquired or consulted with the communities. Human dignity is to be
respected, as the local people will be the ones who bear the effects.
All this is to perpetuate the Hala-Bala Forest to be the valuable treasure
for as long as possible. Public interest should be the major point for
consideration while conserving and preserving the forest together at an
international level.”

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“Personally, I fully agree with an idea of having the Hala-Bala
Forest registered and listed as a World Heritage, for the communities or
the areas which are part of the forest will benefit from it, rather than
facing with the negative impacts. Fundamentally, natural resources will
seriously be taken care of. There will be academics, not only at the
national level, but at the global level, who will come down to help give
advice, co-maintain, or support with budgets for all aspects, whether it
be the protection, conservation, information or academic knowledge,
career promotion, or other benefits which should occur in the future.
It is undeniable that there was a concern among local villagers that,
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once Hala-Bala Forest is declared an ASEAN Heritage or World Herit-
age, they will face with restrictions to make use of the forest, such as
collecting wild produce, collecting honey or any other benefits. Yet,
from meeting and consulting with the executives and personnel from
Local Promotion and Development Center, Yala Rajabhat University,
academics or politicians, we gain more knowledge and understanding
of the future situation, perhaps not entirely. Through the process of
collecting information, preparing information and various documents,
local people will definitely have the opportunity to participate. It is
believed that it will encourage the villagers to learn and understand
more of each other. In particular, the expected results will be econom-
ic-wise; tourism, labor employment, problem solving on the subject
of land use. And finally, it is our great pride to see that our beloved
forest become globally recognized and accepted.”

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“Right now, I am studying for a doctoral degree in Sustainable
Development, at Thaksin University. My thesis topic was related to the
Satun Global Geopark, which was the expansion of knowledge from what
had already been accumulated. Yet, this can be a new issue that can be
used as an example, or a model for other areas, once this research is
completed. This can be a model that brings about development, con-
servation, and creation of the economy at the foundation level for other
areas in the future.
In the case of Hala-Bala Forest, there have been attempts to have
it listed as a World Heritage. This forest proved to be important in terms
of biodiversity. A crucial element seems to be the promotion for related
research, without which it’s hard to achieve the goal. I humbly requested
the relevant network, universities, to conduct research on the local area as
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well, not only about the forest. The components of human, plants, animals,
natural resources, and geological resources should be seriously studied, as
they are all interwoven. It would be truly joyful if Hala-Bala Forest is listed
as a World Heritage, as it will attract tourists and add value to the existing
attractions in the provinces located in the forest. It is important that the
communities create an awareness of this significant transformation. Tour
guides and specific knowledge in tourism may be necessary if we really
have to create a trend for ecotourism and sustainability. Also significant
are notices, road signs, and other promotional sources, which should be
completed before Hala-Bala Forest is received as a World Heritage. All
these are the mechanism and regulations by which the site is assessed. I
warmly extend my best wishes to all concerned.”

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List of Photographers

Kaj-anan Sanitkunpai, Kaikorn Sae-lok, Kern Khianchuan, Jirasak Moranok,
Charif Adulyasard, Chananpat Surachaikun, Chumsak Nararatwong, Mumad-
soray Deng, Suhaimee Meena, Thanakul Kootiphakdi, Dulraman Sani,
Thirachai Dangsrited, Nurahisam Bin Mamu, Waepari Wae’esor, Poramin
Nathongjaroensuk, Phari Maeloh, Fu-ad Waesamae, Montree Khamsingh,
Mahama Saemasae, Mahamayakee Waesoo, Sompon Phajongwong

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Photo Title: Nature’s Creation
Photographer: Kaj-anan Sanitkunpai
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Photo Title: Mushroom Champagne
Photographer: Kaj-anan Sanitkunpai

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Photo Title: Chalerm Phrakiat Rama IX Waterfall
Photographer: Kaikorn Sae-lok
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Photo Title: The Milky Way
Photographer: Kaikorn Sae-lok
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Photo Title: View from Kunung Silipat Peak
Photographer: Kaikorn Sae-lok

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Photo Title: Leaves Changing Colors
Photographer: Kern Khianchuen
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Photo Title: The Asli Way
Photographer: Kern Khianchuen

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Photo Title: In the Mist
Photographer: Jirasak Moranok
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Photo Title: The First Light at Phason
Photographer: Jirasak Moranok

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Photo Title: Forest and Community
Photographer: Charif Adulyasard

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Photo Title: Heavenly View
Photographer: Chananpat Surachaikul
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