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Bangkok Post, 12 Jan 05 UNDP help for coral clean-up by Achara Ashayagachat The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided clean-up equipment to help rehabilitate coral reefs affected by the Dec 26 tsunami. A joint assessment mission conducted this week by the World Bank and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), and the UNDP has found that heavy debris, from deck chairs to kitchen sinks, were putting coral in harm's way. The three-day assessment was also carried out in conjunction with the Department of Marine Resources and it was found that, on average, about 5% of the coral reefs along the southern coastline and around the main tsunami-affected islands had been damaged. The clean-up equipment to be delivered to the department for it to begin immediate work in the affected areas included a vehicle and a boat trailer, a rubber speed-boat, GPS, diving gear, underwater cameras and underwater lift bags. ``This kind of unusual debris calls for special clean-up care. Coral reefs along the Andaman coast are not only a habitat for marine life, essential to the livelihoods of local fishermen, they are also a crucial source of income for the Thai tourism industry,'' said Mr Hakan Bjorkman, deputy resident representative of UNDP. The department has also asked for help in mobilising 100 volunteer divers each Sunday for the next couple of months. The volunteer teams will help to clean up debris from coral along the west coast. and try to reattach parts of broken reefs. The main problem areas are South Patong Beach in Phuket, with 20% damage, and Koh Pai and Rana Bay in the Phi Phi islands, with 40-50% damage. The Similan islands suffered extreme sediment damage from sand displaced onto the coral. If not cleaned away, the heavy sand will eventually kill off the coral reefs. The assessment team said future development of sustainable eco-tourism and the recovery and diversification of livelihoods in fishing communities will rely heavily on restoration of the reefs. links Related articles on Tsunami and the environment |
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