IUCN Management Category II (National Park). The park is largely coincident with the Mae Sa-Kog Ma Biosphere Reserve: IX (Biosphere Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 4.10.04 (Thailandian Monsoon Forest)

Geographical Location Located some 4km west of Chiang Mai and in Chang Mai province, north-west Thailand. The park is on elevated ground and commands views over the Mae Nam Ping valley and Chiang Mai. 18°49'-18°56N, 98°43'-

98°-51'E

Date and History of Establishment 14 April 1981

Area 26,106ha. The Mae Sa-Kog Ma Biosphere Reserve covers 14,200ha.

Land Tenure Government

Altitude From less than 500m to 1,601m (Doi Suthep) and 1,686 (Doi Pui).

Physical Features The park comprises a relatively isolated mountain massif that constitutes part of a pre-Permian ridge of schist and gneiss that forms the western boundary of the Mae Ping Valley. The two peaks, Doi Suthep and Doi Pui, 4km to the north, rise in a series of ridges directly from Chiang Mai town and are connected by other, narrow ridges above 1,000m elevation to Doi Daen and Doi Kham Pong to the west and north-west, respectively. The park is isolated from other mountains by the Chang Mai plain (c. 300m) to the east and south, by the valley of the Nam Mae Tha Chang to the south and west, and by the Nam Mae Sa to the north. Principal drainage courses run radially away from the main massif north to the Nam Mae Sa, east to the Mae Nam Ping and south to the Nam Mae Tha Chang (Round, 1984).

Climate Climatological data gathered over 15 years at the Kog-Ma Watershed Research Station, about 1km south of Doi Suthep peak, indicate a mean annual rainfall of 2085mm. December to March experiences a monthly mean rainfall of less than 33mm. The mean annual temperature is 20°C, with a mean maximum and minimum of 24°C and 17°C, respectively (Dobias, 1982).

Vegetation Deciduous dry dipterocarp forest, dominated by Shorea obtusa, S. siamensis and Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, occupies the lower mountain slopes. With increasing elevation there is a greater evergreen component, especially along stream valleys, and above 900-1,000m a hill evergreen formation occurs, with oak Quercus spp., Lithocarpus spp. and chesnut Castanopsis spp. predominamt. Pines Pinus kesiya and P. merkusii occur in small stands on the drier ridges. However, the vegetation has been greatly modified, especially from 900-1,000m where Hmong villagers have cleared large areas of forest for shifting cultivation. Consequently, many areas support mosaics of successional grassland, scrub and secondary growth, alternating with relict stands of forest trees on the steepest slopes. Undergrowth is burnt annually in as much of 60% of the park and small areas have been planted with Eucalyptus sp., exotic conifers, herbaceous species and fruit orchards. The largest areas of intact forest are found on the eastern slopes of Doi Suthep and Doi Pui (Round, 1984). Undesirable exotics such as Lantana camara and Mimosa pigra have become established (Sayer, 1981).

Fauna Intensive human use of the area has eliminated large mammals, although white-bellied flying squirrel Petinomys setosus, wild boar Sus scrofa, Indian muntjak Muntiacus muntjak and Asiatic golden cat Felis temmincki are reported (Sayer, 1981). The bird community has been well studied, with 326 species known (P.D. Round, pers. comm.) and Round (1984b) provides a species list and an analysis of species which have become less common or extirpated. Additional records for the general locality are given in Round (1982, 1984a). Noteworthy bird species include white-headed shrike babbler Gampsorhyncus rufulus, red-billed scimitar babbler Pomatorhinus ochraceiceps, orange-headed ground thrush Zoothera citrinia and orange-flanked bush robin Tarsiger cyanurus. Blue pitta Pitta cyanea, rusty-naped pitta P. oatesis, purple cochoa Cochoa purpurea have also been recorded (Dobias, 1982).

Cultural Heritage Wat Phrathat temple, which houses a Buddha relict, is located near Doi Suthep at 1,053m. The Phuphing Palace Royal Summer residence is located higher up the mountain (Dobias, 1982; Sayer, 1981).

Local Human Population There are two Hmong hilltribe villages, four Buddhist monasteries and a large number of Thai households within or very close to the Park boundaries. However, details about population numbers are not available. The principal livelihood is agriculture, although benefits from tourism through food stalls and handicraft sales is significant. Hunting is largely recreational due to affluence amongst local people (Round, 1984b).

Visitors and Visitor Facilities Although no specific figures for visitor numbers are available, the proximity to Chiang Mai, the Wat Prahat, Phuphing Palace, hilltribe villages and a mild climate make the park popular with both domestic and overseas visitors. There is ready access to the park from Chiang Mai by road. The road continues to the Palace and a dry weather road leads to Doi Pui summit. There are also a number of nature trails running to waterfalls and hilltribe villages. Bungalow and dormitory accommodation is available for 250 people and there are catering facilities. Although there is no visitor centre, information signs are present (Dobias, 1982; Kasetsart University, 1987).

Scientific Research and Facilities The vegetation has been described by Kuchler and Sawyer (1967) and Sawyer and Chermsiriathana (1969). The avifauna is well studied and a species list was compiled in 1945 (Deignan, 1945). More recent regional studies have been carried out by Round (1982) and Beaver and Sritasuwan (1985) Studies in the Park itself include Round (1984b). Scientific facilities include the Chiang Mae University astronomical telescope and a now disused sylvicultural research station. An arboretum containing exotic species is still maintained (Sayer, 1981). The Kog Ma Watershed Reserve, a 65ha area in the south of the park, is used as a training station and field laboratory for students from Chiang Mae and other provinces (S. Boonyawat, pers. comm.).

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management The park has botanical and ornithological interest, and its principal values include watershed protection for nearby lowlands and as a recreational area for domestic and foreign visitors. The site is also a key area for organised birdwatching tours, as it is easily accessible (P.D. Round, pers. comm.). Conservation management is focussed primarily on prevention of uncontrolled fires, establishment of stable agricultural practice amongst local people and control of poaching and illegal timbering (Round, 1984; Sayer, 1981). The preparation of a management plan is scheduled for 1987 (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Management Constraints The principal management problems stem from the agricultural activities of the hilltribes and pressure from tourism. Repeated burning of undergrowth, selective cutting of larger trees and complete denudation of areas of mixed deciduous forest, which formerly occupied areas around the foothills, have contributed to a substantial loss of forest cover and a gradual degradation of remaining habitat (Round, 1984). Problems from tourists tend to be extensive, with a proliferation of local traders around the Wat and the Phuping Palace, uncontrolled fires, litter and disturbance to wildlife (Sayer, 1981). Proposals to build a cable car on Doi Suthep, which would lead to severe management problems, have not yet received government approval (H. Banziger, pers. comm.).

Staff Comprises three technical officers, three forest technicians, 14 guards, eight other permanent workers and up to 126 seasonally employed workers (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Budget 1,499,920 baht (US$ 54,543) in 1986, not including allocations for construction materials and durables. The comparable figure for 1985 is 3,917,940 baht (US$ 142,470) (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Local Addresses

No information

References

Beaver, O.P. and Sritasuwan, N. (1985). Classification of some bird communities in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 33: 121-138.

Deignan, H.G. (1945). The birds of northern Thailand. United States National Museum Bulletin 186. Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC (unseen).

Dobias, J. (1982). The Shell Guide to the national parks of Thailand. The Shell Company of Thailand Limited. Bangkok. 137 pp.

Kasetsart University, 1987. Assessment of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other preserves in Thailand. Draft Report. Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Royal Forest Department, Office of the National Environment Board, USAID. 124 pp.

Kuchler, A.W. and Sawyer, J.O. (1967). A study of the vegetation near Chiang Mai, Thailand. Trans. Kansas Academy of Science (70): 281-348 (unseen).

Round, P.D. (1982). Notes on breeding birds in north-west Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 23: 99-132.

Round, P.D. (1984a). Some recent bird records from northern Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 31: 123-138.

Round, P.D. (1984b). The status and conservation of the bird community in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, north-west Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 32: 21-46.

Round, P.D. (1985). Status and conservation of resident forest birds in Thailand. Association for the Conservation of Wildlife. Bangkok. 143 pp.

Sawyer, J.O. and Chermsirivathana, C. (1969). A flora of Doi Suthep, Doi Pui, Chieng Mai, North Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society. 23: 99-132.

Sayer, J.A. (1981). A Review of the Nature Conservation and policies of the Royal Forest Department, Thailand. FAO, Rome.

Date September 1987