China-Thailand nature education center to raise awareness for mangrove conservation

PHANG NGA, Thailand, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- During the inaugural class at a newly opened China-Thailand nature education center here, Disaorn Aitthiariyasunthon, a forestry technical officer with Thailand's Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), asked a question to the students: "Which province in Thailand has the most mangroves?"

The students, mainly from Thung Pho Wittaya School, where the center is located, replied, "Phang Nga," earning praise from the Thai lecturer, who then detailed physiology, location, and distinctive species of mangrove plants.

As another lecturer in the inaugural class, Cong Bolin, a researcher at the First Institute of Oceanography (FIO), the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, informed them of crucial ecological roles that mangroves play in buffering against storms and waves, as well as in sustaining biodiversity. He also shared China's successful cases of integrating mangrove conservation with community development.

Inaugurated under the framework of the China-Thailand Joint Laboratory for Climate and Marine Ecosystems, which was established by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, the center was jointly funded, designed, and constructed by the FIO and Beijing-based Society of Entrepreneurs and Ecology Foundation.

Aiming to provide nature education for local youth and communities, the center serves as a new platform for scientific exchanges on mangrove conservation.

Saranphat Choogumlang, a high school sophomore, left the class with new insights. "I learned that mangroves are vital 'nurseries' for many aquatic animals, offering them protection from predators during their most vulnerable stages." As a science student, he expressed a keen interest in mangrove plants' unique structure and shared his aspiration: "If I grow up to be a scientist, I would like to study more about their physical and biological characteristics."

According to Cong, also the project leader of the center, Ao Phang-Nga National Park, in which the China-Thailand Mangrove Collaborative Protection Demonstration Area was unveiled in November last year, has one of the largest and best-preserved mangrove areas in Thailand.

Since then, the two sides have achieved results, particularly in mangrove vulnerability assessments. However, Cong said that fostering environmental awareness for local communities, especially among the youth, is helping achieve long-term, sustainable conservation.

"This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. The center stands as a symbol of our profound friendship," Cong said, expressing hope that it would become a window for collaboration in nature education.

"By translating complex scientific concepts into a language that is understandable to children, we aim to foster a generation that cherishes the marine environment, while bringing quality education to remote communities in Thailand," Cong noted, hailing the center as a significant step toward transitioning from scientific research into mass education and communication about science.

Disaorn said that the inauguration was a "wonderful beginning" that sends a powerful message to students: mangroves at their doorstep are important to the world. She highlighted the role of the center in providing the youth a valuable opportunity to learn about ecosystem of the plant and conservation experience.

"The center can ignite students' curiosity. It might inspire them to pursue majors related to mangroves or forestry in the future," Saranphat said.

Cong outlined future plans for the center, contributing to global efforts to protect marine ecosystem with "Sino-Thai solutions".■