PHUKET – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has launched the country’s first Pracharat Marine Protection Institute in Phuket province, aiming to produce more quality personnel for marine conservation.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Gen Surasak Kanchanarat chaired the opening ceremony of the Pracharat Marine Protection Institute in Sirinat National Park, Phuket. The institute is the first of its kind in Thailand and is housed in the building of the tourist service center and youth camp of the national park. Among the attendees were the Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and a Deputy Governor of Phuket.
The aim of establishing the Pracharat Marine Protection Institute is to enhance the capabilities of officials responsible for marine conservation work at all levels. The facility will equip the personnel with necessary knowledge and skills, enabling them to effectively carry out the government’s proactive policy on the protection of marine resources.
The institute will also serve as coordinator for the public, private and civil sectors in forming a concrete conservation network as well as provider of knowledge and consultancy on the management and development of related personnel.
At the ceremony, Gen Surasak stated that his ministry has been working hard to preserve the country’s natural resources in line with the government’s policy, putting its focus on human resource development. He said after setting up the Pracharat Forest Protection Institute in Phrae province, the ministry decided to open another one specifically for marine protection in Phuket.
