Page 125 - Final Report Improving information and developing a repository of sustainable soil management practices in Asia

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11. COMMUNITY ENTERPRISE: NIPA PALM SUGAR PROCESSING GROUP,

PACKAGES OF CHANATARANGSEE PLANTATION

1. General Information and description of best practice/technology

Introduction

Khanap Nak sub-district, Pak Phanang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province is 24
kilometers away from the Pak Phanang district office. Currently, Khanap Nak sub-district has an

area of about 24,250 rai. It has 10 villages. It was found that the Khanap Nak community is
characterized by having an area of a plain. The area is adjacent to the gulf of Thailand on the east.

It is connected to Pak Phanang river on the west whereby the Pak Phanang river has carried soil

sediments to pile up at the mouth of the river for a long time. In 2015, the Khanap Nak community
had the area of nipa palm forests or plantation from occupations regarding nipa palm forests as

high as 4,578 rai accounting for 476 households. Comparing the quantity of areas of nipa palm
forests, way of life related to and depending on nipa palm forests both in Nakhon Si Thammarat

province revealed that Khanap Nak sub-district has the most area of nipa palm forests. Currently,

nipa palm honey has been made in the Khanap Nak community more. The products obtained can
be processed as a variety of products with good prices. This has increased incomes for households.

Currently, government agencies come in the area to help promote utilization of space in
order to restore the natural ecosystem to be fertile by developing deserted shrimp ponds to plant

nipa palm forests. Besides conserving important natural resources, there must be conservation of

way of life in conducting nipa palm farming and the process of making nipa palm honey. The
reason for this is that without conservation and passing on this to the next generation, values and

importance may be lost.

The nipa palm forest area or nipa palm plantation in the Khanap Nak community has a

large-scale area. In other words, it is the natural forest area with the most remaining fertility in
Thailand. It should be conserved in terms of natural resources and way of life of the community

related to nipa palm forests. Moreover, eco-tourism is a sustainable form of tourism which has a

major role to the economy, conservation of the environment and natural resources as well as well
as helps promote life qualities of the local people living in tourist attractions and adjacent areas.

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