IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, in collaboration with the Environmental and Social Foundation, supports Dugong Rescue and Conservation Project Phase 2, aimed at restoring seagrass along southern coast.

Published : 2025-02-03

In an effort to help conserve and restore the environment, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF), and government agencies have joined forces to plant seagrass along the southern coast of Thailand as part of the “Dugong Rescue and Conservation Project Phase 2”.

Mr. Paul Kanjanapas, Chief Executive Officer of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., the operator of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, stated that due to the ongoing global warming, which is causing climate change, ecosystem disruption, and environmental issues worldwide, businesses around the globe are increasingly paying attention to environmental concerns. IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, as a business entity, is committed to reducing its direct and indirect environmental impacts. In addition to promoting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, IMPACT has been actively implementing various environmental projects within the exhibition and convention center such as energy reduction initiatives within the event spaces, with ongoing plans to reduce energy consumption, and the installation of solar panels on various buildings, which began in 2022. Additionally, the company has launched a plastic reduction campaign, encouraging customers and visitors to reduce plastic consumption, replacing plastic bags with reusable bags, eliminating plastic straws in its restaurants, and using biodegradable food containers.

Other efforts include a waste segregation project, with multiple bins provided to separate different types of waste, and a systematic waste management to ensure proper disposal of each waste type. In 2023, over 80,000 kilograms of waste were recycled. Moreover, food waste is converted into compost using a food waste composer. The resulting compost is used in vegetable plots and ornamental plant beds within the center.

Recently, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, in collaboration with the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF) and government agencies including the Phuket Marine National Park Operation Center 2, Sirinat National Park, Khao Lampi–Hat Thai Mueang National Park, and Khok Kloi Sub District Administrative Organization, Phang Nga province, joined in supporting the “Dugong Rescue and Conservation Project Phase 2” by planting over 900 seagrass seedlings in Bang Khwan Bay in Phang Nga province.

“IMPACT Muang Thong Thani is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a series of ongoing projects. Starting with internal initiatives, we have gradually expanded our efforts to initiate and support more environmental conservation and restoration activities. This collaboration to support seagrass planting with the Environmental and Social Foundation is a small step toward conserving and restoring the environment.”

Dr. Alongkot Chukaew, Director of the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF), explained that the Bang Khwan Bay area in Phang Nga province is home to a number of migrating dugongs. This is because the area used to be a feeding ground with abundant seagrass beds, consisting of at least 5-6 species. However, these seagrass beds have deteriorated, leading to this collaborative effort. The seagrass being planted is the same species that originally thrived in this area. This activity focuses on replanting the original seedlings and protecting the newly planted seedlings, aiming to restore this area as a feeding ground for dugongs in the future.