Thailand's world heritage park allures SERD students
Khao Yai National Park, one of Thailand's world heritage parks recently captivated Urban Environmental Management (UEM) Program and other students (above) coming from School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD) at the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani.
On this 'end of the semester' field trip, the site enchanted AIT students and educators alike as it offered a leisure and educational trip as well as a first hand experience for understanding the efficient conservation of Thailand's wildlife and environment.
The trip was held 01 - 03 December 2005 and was organized by the first term Urban Environmental Management students led by Ply Pirom. The trip was held in cooperation with H.E. Yongyut Tiyapairat, Thailand's Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.
Minister Yongyut (third from right), a current doctoral student of UEM, SERD says, 'the 3-day field trip aims to offer an understanding of Thailand's wildlife ecosystem as well as to provide interesting activities that include lectures, bird watching, a night safari, a nature trek, and jungle survival techniques demonstration. An experience of wildlife preservation and outdoor relaxation.'
Upon arrival, the students were led to a brief lecture about the national park presented by the park superintendent and administrators followed by a short nature trail. In the evening, a night safari trip was organized where the students got to glimpse the nocturnal behavior of wildlife around the park.
Early on 02 December, against the park's cool temperatures, the group started their activities with bird watching where various Thai avian species were observed at close distance. The students later moved on to Nong Pakchee, a grassland ecosystem where they saw the tropical flora and fauna, came to understand forest ecology as well as to learn a few jungle survival techniques. In the afternoon, the students experienced the tranquility and coolness of the forest water when they visited various waterfalls. A splendid mountain view after the waterfalls was a special bonus for the participants. The park guides' expertise made the adventure informative and safe.
The outdoor dinner - hosted by H.E. Yongyut - highlighted the event where exotic Thai foods and delicacies were served. In a speech delivered after dinner, the Minister expressed his commitment to the preservation of national parks by informing the students that education does not only stop at school. 'Your visit today is an extension of your classroom where everyone can make a connection between ecology and personal commitment on the care for environment,' he noted. 'Khao Yai is already a world heritage as classified by UNESCO and I invite you to feel ownership of this wonderful place as it is in fact already a global treasure,' he remarked to mostly international students attending the event.
Before departure, the students (see above) marked a tribute to the park by planting aloewood tree seedlings, a very rare specie of tree used in producing perfumes. Planting of an almost near extinct tree was a historic gesture for the students as it gave them the chance to be a part of a world renowned park where they have something to look back in the future. They then proceeded to the salt lick site to replenish the depleted salt or mineral deposit. A salt lick is an area where animals such as elephants and deers regularly lick for their needed nutrients.
Khao Yai is Thailand's first national park established in 1962. Ranked as the second largest in the country, it covers an area of more than 2000 square kilometers including evergreen forests. It is also host to a variety of wild animals including elephants, tigers, gibbons, deer, gaur, Asian wild and boars. In 1984, the park was declared an ASEAN heritage site and in 14 July 2005, the location together with parks in Dong Phaya Yen mountain was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site under the name Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. (Meinardo Teves)