This article was first published by Andaman Discoveries Blog on January 18, 2010.
>> View original article “Community Network – Profiles from the Field.”

Alee’s Story – Niyom Prai Group

Born in a nearby village, Alee moved to Ton Kloy as a young man, and, for many years, supported his family by hunting wild animals. The forests surrounding Ton Kloy are renowned for rare plants, a great diversity of butterflies, and abundant wildlife. Over time, Alee began to understand that it was important “to protect the forest and keep wildlife in this area for people to see in the future.”

Alee Salee, Niyom Prai Group, Ton Kloy Village

While keeping a clear eye on the future, Alee is also addressing the pressing conservation problems of today. Along with other former hunters from Ton Kloy, Alee visits surrounding villages, and asks hunters to refrain from shooting the deer, gaur, serow, and other wildlife that come to Ton Kloy’s fruit orchards for food and water. Alee reports that his efforts have been successful in reducing illegal wildlife hunting; there are no longer any hunters in his village and five hunters from nearby villages have stopped poaching.

When his village formed the “Niyom Prai” conservation group in 2007, Alee was among the first to join. From the onset, the group has worked to develop the area’s ecotourism potential with a focus on jungle hikes, including a spectacular waterfall and an historical tin mine. The Tourism Club also engages in community service activities including trail maintenance, road side clearance, and rubbish removal.

“By successfully preventing hunting and forest encroachment in our village, we can then expand to other villages when they have seen the result,” Alee concludes, “going to hunt a deer we can feed only five or six persons, but if we keep a deer everyone can come and see it for a long time.”

About Andaman Discoveries

Andaman Discoveries, a leader in sustainable travel and development in Thailand, allows visitors and volunteers to directly support community education, village-led conservation, and cultural empowerment.

Andaman Discoveries works in partnership with communities in Southern Thailand to provide responsible and authentic community based tours, which genuinely benefit the local people. Andaman Discoveries’ programs include: eco-tours, cultural tours, educational programs, interactive handicraft workshops, and volunteer placements.

>> Learn more & get involved: Andaman Discoveries website

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About Ton Kloy Village

Although Ton Kloy is located just off the main highway, it’s still a world away from the hustle and bustle of trucks and buses. Join a local guide and pick sumptuous tropical fruit straight from the tree, and then try your hand at weaving sarongs with the women’s group, or simply marvel at the intricate traditional patterns.

Ton Kloy is a well known departure point for jungle hikes, including a spectacular waterfall and an historical tin mine that was active during the early 1970′s, and used to feature a good access road and a helicopter landing pad.

(Source: Andaman Coast Community Tourism)