Koh Lanta is undergoing a significant transformation to become a leading sustainable tourism destination in Thailand. Unlike many other resort areas that have been overwhelmed by mass tourism, Koh Lanta has largely retained its natural beauty, featuring pristine beaches, lush rainforests, dense mangroves, and vibrant coral reefs. However, the inevitable environmental pressures of modern life have necessitated a strong response to ensure the island’s paradisal appeal is preserved for future generations.
Key Sustainability Initiatives:
- Comprehensive Waste Management Programs:
- A groundbreaking community waste management program launched by the Thailand Environment Institute (TEI) in 2021 is central to addressing the challenges of waste from overtourism. This initiative encompasses various steps, including establishing a waste database, setting up plastic upcycling plants (Lanta Plas Centres), promoting proper household waste management, creating waste sorting stations, recycling food waste for animal feed, involving junk dealers in recycling, organizing pre-tourism season beach cleanups, and fostering community collaboration.
- Koh Lanta is embracing a “bin-less society” model, emphasizing waste sorting at the source through community education.
- Upcycling initiatives are turning plastic waste into useful products like plant pots and souvenirs at Lanta Plas Centres, and even upcycling bottle caps.
- A Community Compost Station allows locals to convert organic waste into compost, supporting a circular economy.
- Waste banks in public areas and schools encourage recycling by allowing recyclers to purchase materials, generating income for local schools.
- Regular beach and mangrove clean-up activities are organized by local businesses, residents, and resorts like Pimalai.
- Marine Conservation Efforts:
- Pimalai Resort & Spa, in collaboration with Scubafish Dive Centre and Lanta Diver, spearheads clownfish release and coral propagation programs around the offshore islands of Koh Haa and Koh Rok. This involves a process of nurturing new corals and relocating them to reefs.
- Visitors are actively encouraged to participate in propagation dives to learn about and contribute to marine conservation.
- Active Involvement of Local Businesses:
- Local businesses are pivotal in driving sustainable tourism through collaborations with government agencies on projects like coral restoration and sea turtle releases.
- They actively engage with the community through educational programs and events to raise awareness about environmental issues.
- Many businesses are adopting sustainable operational practices, including reducing single-use plastics, composting, and using eco-friendly products.
- They provide support for community-based tourism by promoting local products and organizing community-led tours, ensuring that tourism benefits are shared with local residents.
- Innovative projects like the Trash Hero sustainable bottle scheme, offering free refill stations across the island, are supported by local businesses like KoHub.
- Pimalai Resort & Spa as a Sustainability Champion:
- Pimalai Resort & Spa holds the distinction of being the first property on Koh Lanta to receive Green Globe certification, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability.
- Through its Rak Lanta (Love Lanta) project, the resort conducts educational programs for local communities, small businesses, and schools on effective waste segregation and recycling. It also provides necessary waste management infrastructure.
- Pimalai has set ambitious five-year environmental targets aimed at reducing electricity consumption, water use, carbon footprint, and waste.
- The resort actively involves its guests in sustainability initiatives, such as the monthly Kantiang Beach cleanup.
- Pimalai has even produced a documentary short to showcase the sustainability efforts on Koh Lanta.
- Community and Visitor Engagement:
- Community Trash Free Days are organized monthly, fostering collective responsibility for the island’s cleanliness.
- Organized boat tours of the mangroves not only provide income but also fund the preservation of this vital ecosystem.
- Local organizations are recycling non-biodegradable waste into intricate handicrafts, which are sold to tourists, garnering positive feedback and supporting waste reduction.
Remaining Challenges:
Despite the significant progress, challenges remain. Some visitors have noted a significant garbage problem on the island, highlighting the need for continued and intensified efforts in waste management. Additionally, concerns have been raised about a lack of environmental education in some tourism activities, with instances of tourists harming coral reefs suggesting a need for better guidance from tour operators.
Sources of Waste:
The primary sources of waste on Koh Lanta include community waste, tourism-related waste (such as single-use plastics and food packaging), and debris from the sea, with the island’s location in the Andaman Sea contributing to marine pollution from other regions.
In conclusion, Koh Lanta is making commendable progress in its journey towards sustainable tourism through a multifaceted approach involving community engagement, innovative waste management solutions, marine conservation initiatives, and the active participation of local businesses. These efforts are crucial for preserving the island’s unique natural heritage and ensuring its long-term viability as a desirable and responsible tourism destination.