The Environmental Situation in Mae Salong: Tourism’s Impact and Ecotourism as a Potential Solution
Northern Thailand is a mountainous region with high peaks, rich forests, and is home to many diverse indigenous groups that rely on the forest and land for farming. Mae Salong, a mountain range located within the Chiang Rai Providence, is one of these areas. Alongside the Mae Salong area is the Mae Chan Watershed affluent to the Mekong River, the main water source for many regions in Thailand as well as Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia (Cadena, Pond, & Rattanasorn, 2015, p. 24). Since the late twentieth century, land has predominately been used for subsistence farming and agricultural export (e.g. tea, coffee, corn, fruit, rice) with select emphasis on organic farming and a major emphasis on cash crops (International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2016).
The land in Mae Salong is shared by seven ethnic groups who have migrated from surrounding areas including China, Tibet, Laos, and Myanmar (Kugel & Rattanasorn, 2010, p. 31). Over time the land has degraded and the fragility of the ecosystem has escalated as a result of land intensive development, logging, harmful agricultural practices, deforestation, and a drastic increase in population from tourism (Cadena et al., 2015; Kugel & Rattanasorn, 2010). Agriculture and tourism, as shared by the local ethnic groups, are the two largest sources of income. Thus, protecting the biodiversity of the region is critical for the indigenous communities who depend on the environment for economic survival and sustenance (Cadena et al., 2015, p. 13).
“Catchment-wide [practices]…has resulted in impacts such as erosion, soil infertility, landslides and water cycle imbalances, which affect communities at the household level[1]” (Cadena et al., 2015).“Degradation of land…is a corollary of the increasing population-resource squeeze” in Mae Salong. Tourists promulgate part of this population squeeze, especially during high season, November to February each year (Cadena et al., 2015, p. 13). In the Mae Fah Luang District alone, reported in 2015, there were over 22,000 households living on Mae Salong (“Population and Housing Statistics for the Year 2015,” 2015). Tourists promulgate part of this population squeeze, especially during high season, November to February each year (Cadena et al., 2015, p. 13).
Identified Environmental Concerns
· General fragility of Mae Salong and limited natural resources
· Significant land scarcity
· History of deforestation
· Mass tourism since the 1970s
· Increased development
· Increased transportation
· Unregulated, poorly planned, uncontrolled development
· Construction of hotels in nonviable areas
· Decreased biodiversity and increased waste, erosion, landslides, etc.
· Increased use of chemicals in agriculture
· Fluctuating supply and quality of water
· Influence of climate change
The growth of tourism in Mae Salong became significant in the late 20th century when developers and tourism agencies saw the monetary potential of the colorful hill tribe people. Trekking trips, homestays, and souvenir shopping at local markets were organized by agencies. Cultural elements characteristic of the hill people, such as the headdresses of the Akha and the ornate handmade goods, were shared with tourists in exchange for pictures and monetary purchases. Because of a growing tourist demand for “unspoiled” and “authentic” regions, new hill tribe areas were constantly being developed (Trupp, 2014). Once a mountain village no longer provided the desired grade of authenticity, it was taken out of the tour program and replaced by a new “back region” (Trupp, 2014a). Regions in Mae Salong were also developed to create cafes, tea shops, and hotels to accommodate tourist interest and the sheer volume of people during high season, November to February each year.
Today, “Thailand is the 9th fastest emerging tourism destination worldwide for 2014 to 2024 with an annual growth rate of 6.7 percent in travel and tourism’s direct contribution to GDP projections” (“Travel, Tourism & Hospitality,” 2018). Likewise, the Ministry of Tourism and Sport reported 4 million tourists in Chiang Rai in 2017 growing from 3 million tourists in 2016. With tourism being one of the two largest sources of income, protecting the biodiversity of the region is critical for the indigenous communities who depend on the environment for economic survival and sustenance (Cadena et al., 2015, p. 13).
Identified Economic Concerns
· Hill people dependency on tourism for economic survival
· Environmental disasters are costly and response plans are not formalized
· Fluctuating income (high season, low season)
· Development stimulates the economy while simultaneously impacting the environment
· Development is catered to tourism, not the local people
· Lack of diverse economic opportunities for hill people
Identified Social Concerns
· Population capacity is unknown
· Dialect differences inhibit communication
· Stakeholder relationships and offices are disjointed and unclear
· Continuous increase in tourism to Thailand
· Population spike from November to January
· Health issues from agricultural practices
· Constant tourist demand and pressure for authenticity
Identified Cultural Concerns
· Cultural erosion; Culture as performative
· Increased modernity, increased social media
· Competing goals (tourism & income) and (marketing & authenticity)
Thus, the environmental situation of Mae Salong calls for a multi-faceted approach considerate of the social, economic, and cultural impacts tourism has had. Discussion of economic impact, environmental sustainability, policy, the tourist experience, planning and coordination, social and cultural impact, tourism management, and the competing values of development and environmental sustainability must be addressed to preserve the homes of the indigenous groups in Mae Salong.
In the next article, ecotourism will be introduced as one solution to the negative impacts of tourism on the environment of Mae Salong. Additionally, environmental rights will be considered including substantive and procedural rights and the role of the government, nongovernment, and private sectors (“What Are Your Environmental Rights?,” n.d.).
Sources:
Cadena, Angela Joehl, David Pond, and Tawatchai Rattanasorn. 2015. “Integrated Livelihoods and Landscape Approach for Smallholders in Northern Thailand.” Future of Food: Journal on Food, Agriculture and Society, Future of Food: Journal on Food, 2 (2): 22–29.
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International Union for Conservation of Nature. 2016. “Forest Landscape Restoration Initiatives in Thailand: Case Studies of Doi Mae Salong (Chiang Rai) and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex.”
Kugel, Carolin, and Tawatchai Rattanasorn. 2010. “From Poppies to Plant Diversity: A Visitor’s Guide to the Hill Tribe Communities of Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand.” Bangkok, Thailand: IUCN.
“Population and Housing Statistics for the Year 2015.” 2015. Statistics System Registration. 2015. http://stat.dopa.go.th/stat/statnew/statTDD/views/showZoneData.php?rcode=5715&statType=1&year=58.
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Trupp, Alexander. 2014. “Ethnic Tourism in Northern Thailand: Viewpoints of the Akha and the Karen.” In Southeast Asian Mobility Transitions: Issues and Trends in Tourism and Migration, edited by K. Husa, H. Wohlschlagl, and Alexander Trupp, 346–76. University of Vienna: Department of Geography and Regional Research.
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United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) n.d. “What Are Your Environmental Rights?” Retrieved from https://www.unenvironment.org/explore-topics/environmental-rights-and-governance/what-we-do/advancing-environmental-rights/what-0.
