| Author | Peddada, Sai Hareeshwar |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.JNTUK-16-04 |
| Subject(s) | Environment management
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. JNTUK-16-04 |
| Abstract | Koh Rongnieu is to a great extent ecologically stable, seasonally flooded forested island on Mekong river in Kratie province in NE Cambodia. To reduce the pressure on river fisheries and forests, while improving living conditions of the islanders, several development interventions (namely, ecotourism, vegetable gardening and backyard fish farming) were initiated by Wetland Alliance Program (WAP) in 2007 in this area earmarked for conservation by WWF. The research study aspired to assess the present status and impacts of these developmental interventions, and suggest necessary mitigation measures. The methodology u sed comprised Most Significant Change (MSC) technique, DPSIR, questionnaires, household surveys, interviews with local stakeholders and field observations. During the study, ecotourism was found to facilitate increasing awareness of nature conservation while providing income opportunities to local communities. It was concluded that main attractions of ecotourism on the island were (i) its relative ecological pristine status, and (ii) traditional village way of life appealing to foreigners and Cambodian city dwellers. But the number of dolphins appears to decrease gradually: from approx. 200 in 1997, 127 in 2005 to 80 in 2015, which is coupled to illegal gillnet fishing which was in wide practice as well as reported dynamite and electric fishing. On a more positive note, as a result of WAP facilitation of ̳homestay‘ eco - tourism, particularly in Koh Pdao village, consistent increase in number of eco - tourists is observed: from 289 ―homestay‖ eco - tourists in 2010 to 633 in 2014 with most of them young, aged 26 - 33 and coming from France. It is found through interviews that local people find ecotourism quite helpful in their life pursuits. Vegetable farming and backyard fish farming were initiated at scale to relieve pressure on river fishing and, therefore, on riverine ecosystem. 60 vegetable gardens were flourishing in the dry season whereas in the wet season, the high water level, floods, heavy rainfall and lack of time due to engagement with rice farming prevent the people from practicing this intervention. Backyard fish farming was discontinued entirely due to lack of profit. Another major concern of local ecological... |
| Year | 2016 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. JNTUK-16-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Previous Degree Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kainada, India (JNTUK) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Annachatre, Ajit P.;Ebbers, Theo |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016 |