Support and develop community based eco-tourism in the coastal nature reserve and environmental protection area in Thanh Phong commune, Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre Province

Objectives

The project aims to raise awareness of the community and stakeholders to preserve the value of natural resources, protect the natural environment, preserve and promote indigenous cultural values, and bring real benefit sharing opportunities to the community in  Thanh Phong Commune. The project will also integrate itself into the coastal co-management initiative in Thanh Phong Commune which is a key resilience building activity in the Commune, and which is being supported out of the DANIDA funded MFF project.  

Background

In the coastal areas of Thanh Phu District, Ben Tre, local communities face many difficulties. Livelihoods heavily rely on natural resources gained from forest exploitation and natural aquatic catches. However, as resources, and consequently incomes, decline, women are increasingly relied upon for labour as men either go out to sea or move to larger cities in search of employment.

Target beneficiaries

• 150 poor households who work as hired labor and depend on forest products
• Women with husbands and sons working away from home.
• Community in Thanh Phong commune

Outputs

• A Community House in Thanh Phong Commune
• Increased awareness of environmental and natural resources protection
• Establishment of one local ecotourism operator and four community career groups (handicrafts, food processing, tourism organizations, transport and guided tours).
• A Community Support Center in Ben Tre.

Accomplishments and challenges

Accomplishments

• Community awareness about natural resources and environmental protection
• Strong support from local government and related agencies to continue to support Thanh Phong eco-tourism

Challenges

• Project budget and timeline are relatively small, one of the reasons is the cancellation of co-funding from other partners.
• Development of Thanh Phong eco-tourism starting from beginning with low infrastructure. The delay in national investment to district infrastructure is one of the challenges. 

Contributions to cross-cutting themes

• Gender equality
• Climate change adaptation

Lessons Learned

Capacity building for the community is essential and ensuring there are champion groups to facilitate the project activities is also important. The need for involvement from multi-stakeholders, including Department of Tourism, local authorities, academy, tour companies is essential.