In conjunction with the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, Cathay Pacific will be kicking off its 1 Ticket, 1 Tree initiative on 26 July 2023. For every ticket sold online from 26 to 30 July 2023 in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia, Cathay Pacific pledges to plant a mangrove tree in Southeast Asia. This would be the third year that Cathay Pacific is embarking on this initiative, underscoring its commitment to give back to the communities it serves in practical and meaningful ways. Cathay Pacific’s 1 Ticket, 1 Tree initiative was launched in Thailand in 2021. This was expanded to Southeast Asia in 2022. Notably, more than 21,000 mangrove trees have been planted across the region since then. With mangroves being the lifeblood of many Southeast Asian coastal ecosystems, Cathay Pacific hopes to do its part to protect local livelihoods and biodiversity in the region. 1 Ticket, 1 Tree is part of Cathay Pacific’s broader commitment to sustainability leadership. To inspire more people to come together to lead change, volunteers and members of the community were invited to take part in the tree-planting itself. In total, more than 180 volunteers comprising Cathay Pacific employees, partners, and even disadvantaged members of the community have come together since the launch to plant trees in their respective countries. Dominic Perret, Regional General Manager of Cathay Pacific Southeast Asia & Southwest Pacific, reasserted the airline’s commitment to sustainability and giving back to the communities it serves. “We are very proud to be organising 1 Ticket, 1 Tree for the third year running, especially since this was initiated during a very challenging period for us as an airline. The feedback we’ve received from our employees, partners and members of the community since then has been most heartfelt and encouraging, and we’re glad to be able to continue this momentum to make positive change, one tree at a time. As a global airline, we strongly believe we can lead change, and we are committed to working with like-minded partners to do so.” For more information on 1 Ticket, 1 Tree, please visit: Singapore – Malaysia – Indonesia – Philippines – Cambodia – Thailand – Vietnam

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A long time ago, in the imagination of two French comics authors, there existed in Armorica, an area between the Seine and the Loire which coincides more or less with present-day Brittany, a small village inhabited by ‘irreducible Gauls’. These Gauls persisted in resisting the Roman occupation, which represented the thorn in the side of Gaius Julius Caesar. Among the characters in the village was the bard Assurancetourix who saw himself as a great musician but who played and sang so badly and awkwardly that, whenever he attempted a performance, he was beaten up, tied up and, above all, gagged by his rude fellow villagers. According to him, however, they understood nothing of art in general and of his in particular. But this is another story, one completely different from the one I’m about to tell. There are nevertheless similarities between the two stories: in both cases we have in fact an unnamed village that existed only in the imagination of those who described it and, in both cases, above all, we have a bard, an under-appreciated musician. The legend behind the fiddler crab In our village (not the one in Armorica) lived the beautiful Rosetta, as well as Uca, a violinist who never parted from his violin. He liked showing it, but most of all, sadly for his unfortunate casual listeners, he liked playing it. The point, to put it bluntly, was that, like our Assurancetourix, Uca really didn’t know how to play it. So, every time he tried to play one of what he called ‘sweet and adorable melodies’, everyone ran away to barricade themselves in their houses, with their ears plugged to save themselves from the shrill sounds that came out of Uca’s instrument. Naturally, many times it happened that people did not just run away: they may direct some verbal abuse to him, and it was not unusual to poor Uca to get a bucket of water thrown to him, with bucket and all! Uca’s life, however, was marked by another serious drawback: love. For quite some time, in fact, the unfortunate violinist had fallen in love with the beautiful Rosetta. He liked to woo her, and so far nothing unusual, but he especially liked to play serenades to her. Those same melodies that put to flight the other inhabitants of the village had the same effect on the beautiful girl who, exasperated by such art, during one of the many escapes from Uca’s music, she desperately asked Jupiter for help. The King of the Gods initially tried to block the violinist’s way by hurling lightnings at him, but to no avail. Uca continued to chase Rosetta, always playing his violin, until he reached a nearby beach. Finally Jupiter, fed up with lightnings and with the music that reached Mount Olympus and made Juno, who notoriously lacked in patience and tolerance, hysterical, decided to end the problem by striking Uca with a powerful curse. So it was that while Uca was running, his body began to harden. The violin, still clutched in one hand, began to merge with the hand itself, hardening too. His legs became paws and from the body, which was getting harder, smaller and rounder, eight more threadlike paws sprouted. Uca kept running with increasing difficulty, gradually more and more clumsy until he turned into a crab. One of his two claws was larger than the other, and it was shaped like a violin.   The fiddler crab This is the legend, but violinist crabs really exist. They are small crabs that live in dens on the water’s edge and near the high tide line, in muddy areas such as the mangrove forests so present in the South of Thailand and in South East Asia. The males have one claw more developed than the other, and this claw is rhythmically shaken up and down during social interactions and particularly in the mating season, in order to attract the female. In this period the male crab will lurk at the entrance to his den waving his most developed claw in an attempt to attract the female who, from a group of males, will choose the one with the largest claw, considering it the healthiest… it goes without saying: size matters! This ‘violin’ claw is also needed for the protection of the crab’s territory. In fact, for the defence of the dens, territorial fights between males occur, which can even get to extreme situations in which one of the contenders suffers the complete rupture of the big claw. This is such a bad blow for the crab in question who, in one go, finds itself without defence and without a woman or, better said, without a lady crab. But in this case nature comes to its aid: the violinist crab, in fact, has the ability to regenerate the broken claw, being able to recreate the size but not the strength. The new claw will be weaker than the original, useful only to flaunt a virtual power.  In the West Indies the fiddler crab is also called ‘It’s my fault’ crab, from the Creole ‘Sé ma fò’. This is because the movement of its paw recalls that of the faithful beating their chest during prayer. And with this, I think I’ve spent enough time talking about the curiosities concerning this cute crustacean. Oops, I almost forgot: the fiddler crab descendant of Uca in love is, of course, a romantic type, and it mates only on full moon nights. Here a comprehensive website dedicated to fiddle crabs.  

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It is no doubt that Krabi is suitable for eco-tourism and sustainable programs linked to local communities. Last month we made our way there to be part of a Community Based Tourism (CBT) tour organised by a community of farmers and fishermen at Baan Khuan O. The tour explores the mountain of Khao Garos by means of boat and kayak, paddling along waters enclosed by one of the most majestic canyons in Ao Luek district, Krabi. At our arrival at Baan Khuan O pier we were introduced to the boat owner, a proud member of Baan Khuan O community, as well as an explorer and discoverer of all the natural beauties we were going to visit. We were informed that there are 160 villagers involved in this project, a total of 8 communities adhering to the CBT program. Baan Khuan O project limits the tour to 120 visitors per day, with only 60 per day allowed inside the canyon in order to preserve the environment there. Following the introductions and initial chat, we split: some boarded the longtail boats for the much-attended tour of Khao Garos canyon, while some boarded their kayak and started paddling. I had the luck of initially being in the boat with our guide and his daughter, and while the guide propelled the vessel towards the maze of mangrove canals, I took in the amazing views of the limestone mountains that surrounded us all around. The rest of the group kayaked along the mangrove-sided huge canal. We slowly approached the high rock face of Khao Garos mountain, and understood the meaning of the name: Garos in ancient Malay language means ‘not beautiful’, and this was clear seeing the ragged and rough surface of the mountain rock. The guide informed us that in the past Khao Garos was used by Chinese and Malaysian sailors to shelter from monsoon rains. We sailed alongside the long-range mountain and towards the sea, with the canal getting wider and wider. We neared the sheer rock covered in its near entirety by trees; at the top of this huge mountain range there is a flat plateau accessible only through treacherous climbing. One of the main features of Khao Garos is a hidden lagoon surrounded by vertical cliffs and only accessible with smaller boats and in high tides. It was now my time to kayak. We stooped by a small cave, our changing base from longtail boats to kayak. A few minutes later I was paddling inside a quiet amphitheatre where the only noise was our voices amplified by echoes, and birds and cicadas singing. Around us, healthy-looking mangrove trees that constantly produce new roots; these drop from branches towards the water, eventually reaching the seabed and establishing there to give more life to forests that house a rich and complex ecosystem. The vegetation growing on rocks around us comprise rare endemic plants, including spectacular specimen of yellow Ron Tau Naree Luan Krabi orchid – the symbol of Krabi, which grow on top of the trees. Bare, strangely shaped rocks and boulders protrude from the waters. Eerie-looking rock shapes started to appear on wall faces – skulls, masks, and other undefined shapes. Sheer cliffs covered the sun rays, giving the area an infernal feel. The kayak peacefully entered the submerged cave; it was like entering another world. Stalactites of different shapes stack out of rock ceilings, and the air turned fresh and humid. Myriads of fossilised shells were encrusted on the cave suspended ceiling; the proof that sea level in Krabi was quite high in ancient times. We exited the cave and sailed alongside Khao Garos, with our guide giving us accounts of hidden caves containing treasures – quite a possibility as they could be easily camouflaged by natural features. He then pointed us to pictorials on the rock walls. One resembled a centipede, another a human-looking icon featured climbing a rope and aiming at a box at the top. This would be the hint to the place where treasure was hidden. These are the words of an ancient local poem: “Long line mountain amongst the sea, Whirl sea water as a signal, The treasure is above, Let’s take it home”. According to a local legend, a few locals who tried digging rock to find the alleged treasure heard voices screaming in the distance. The number of treasure hunters has since declined; locals now believe there is magic and spirits that harbour in the cave, and fully respect it. There are a high number of unexplored caves in Khao Garos mountain, and some of these are being researched, though funds are limited. In some of them, researchers have found pottery and human skulls dated 3,000 to 5,000 years back. We quietly returned to our departing point, most of us made speechless by the eternal beauty we experienced. Ao Luek is the cradle of civilisation in Thailand, and we were glad to have explored some of its natural features in the company of a local community. FACTFILE Khao Garos looks like an island but it is not an island – Khao: mountain, Garos: ugly Khao Garos is part of Tarnboke Koranee National Park in Ao Luek District Khao Garos is also known as Khao Yao Nam Rop: long mountain surrounded by the sea Khao Garos is home to local shells Hok Chai Teen and local orchid Ron Tau Naree Luan Krabi

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The tree-planting ceremony taht officially kick-started the 2015 Rainforest World Music Festival was held at Kuching Wetlands National Park and was organized by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Sarawak Forest Department. The samplings planted joined the over 1,000 planted since the tree-planting project first started in 2011. Angelina Patricia Bateman, Sarawak Tourism Board events and corporate relations director, supervised the event and commented that “the objective of the tree-planting programme is to create awareness on conservation efforts and the ecological values of Sarawak’s rich and diverse flora and fauna while complementing the festival’s conservation of endangered musical instruments, songs and dances.” She went on to add that the Rainforest World Music Festival has become a worldwide phenomenon and a testament to how far Malaysia had come in attracting the world’s best performers, adding that “for the sixth consecutive year, Rainforest World Music Festival has been voted one of the 25 best international festivals by renowned world music magazine Songlines.” State Forestry Department deputy director Said Gapar said the tree-planting programme was becoming a popular activity especially among agencies and companies, adding that “nurturing love for the environment among all levels of society has become our commitment; I am therefore grateful that this programme has so far been a success and attracts so many participants, even from other countries.” A number of representatives from the international media and Rainforest World Music Festival performers planted a total of 150 mangrove seedlings. The Rainforest World Music Festival is a unique festival that brings together on the same stage renowned world musicians from all continents and indigenous musicians from the interiors of the mythical island of Borneo. The 18th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival is held at Sarawak Cultural Village from August 7 to 9, 2015. The 2016 festival is scheduled to happen in July. Browse for future dates at www.rwmf.net Asianitinerary stayed at the Damai Beach Resort: http://asianitinerary.com/damai-beach-resort/

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The Krabi River estuary Ramsar site, located adjacent to and including the municipality of Krabi City, represents a fine example of the need for co-existence of urban environments and natural wetland environments. The Krabi River estuary covers an area of 21,300 hectares that comprise mudflats, sandy beaches and canals in front of Krabi Town and mangrove forests and extensive seagrass beds in Koh Sri Boya. It is formed where a complex of several rivers discharge into southern Thailand’s Phang-Nga Bay, and is dominated by in excess of 10,000 hectares of mangrove forest. At low tides, an additional 1,200 hectares of tidal mudflat are revealed. Krabi River estuary is a fine example of co-existence between urban and natural areas. The mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs provide important sources of food for fishes, spawning grounds and nurseries. While included in the Ramsar list as a wetland of international importance in 2001, a recent assessment of the ecology of Krabi estuary found that the it can be identified as a wetland of international importance. The area is divided into the following sections: 5% of endemic mangrove forests, 73% of all Thai mangrove tree species, 5% of seagrass and one of only 2 fossilised gastropod pavements in the world and Krabi supports 27 globally threatened or near threatened species. Mangroves, seagrass (they provide the critical habitat for Dugong, which feed exclusively on these) and coral vegetation support a high diversity both of migratory and resident birds and inshore fish. Of 280 fish species, 60% were found in immature and juvenile stages of their lives, showing the importance of the area in terms of fish spawning and nursery. The site also includes 221 species of visiting birds and shorebirds. INTERNATIONALLY IMPORTANT BIRD SITE Krabi Estuary and Bay supports a high diversity of avifauna and the area’s mudflats form one of the most important sites for migratory birds in southern Thailand with a total of 221 bird species having been recorded at the area. Of migrant bird species, 23 are shorebirds which feed here during their annual migrations between North Asia, Southeast Asia and Australasia. In addition, the inter-tidal flats provide feeding areas for significant numbers of near threatened Malaysian and Asian birds. As one of the most easily accessible areas of species-rich mangroves in Southern Thailand, the site has great recreational and educational potential – especially for bird watching. MARINE MAMMALS AND REPTILES Krabi Estuary and Bay is of surprisingly high significance for marine mammals, with up to 20 species possibly occurring in the area, including globally threatened species such as Byde’s whale, sperm whale and false killer whale. Other smaller animals including various species of dolphin and porpoise are also recorded although the scarce sightings suggest that these are migrations to feed on seasonal fish movements. Seagrass beds around Koh Si boya Island also provide critical feeding habitats for small local populations of Dugong, which are entirely dependent on seagrass habitats, while at least 3 species of marine turtle – including the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle, are regularly observed within the Krabi Estuary and Bay. FISH It is estimated that of the 280 fish species utilising the Krabi Estuary, 232 species utilise the area’s mangrove forests, 149 feed in seagrass beds and 233 species can be found off coral reefs in Krabi Bay. Of these known species, 60% have been found. Krabi Estuary’s wetlands play a critical role in supporting local fisheries. As a result of the rich diversity of fish species, including the many mangrove dependant, seagrass dependant and coral dependant species, local people have access to a wide range of fish resources. The future of Krabi Estuary is dependant on its proximity with the Krabi Town municipality. The greatest threat to Krabi Estuary is the continuing discharge of urban wastewater into the estuary, which threatens the rich benthic biomass to be found in the extensive inter-tidal mudflats, while solid and organic waste is also adding to the pollution burden. Like most mangrove areas in Thailand, remaining mangroves at the Krabi site are under pressure from illegal encroachment, in particular from increasing industry and the expansion and migration of shrimp aquaculture. RAMSAR CONVENTION The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1747 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.

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