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Mae Ping National Park

Coordinates: 17°34′N 98°48′E / 17.567°N 98.800°E / 17.567; 98.800
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Mae Ping National Park
อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง
Map showing the location of Mae Ping National Park
Map showing the location of Mae Ping National Park
Location within Thailand
LocationThailand
Nearest cityTak
Coordinates17°34′N 98°48′E / 17.567°N 98.800°E / 17.567; 98.800
Area1,003.7 km2 (387.5 sq mi)
Established8 August 1981
Visitors39,895 (in 2019)
Governing bodyDepartment of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Mae Ping National Park (Thai: อุทยานแห่งชาติแม่ปิง, RTGS Utthayan Haeng Chat Mae Ping, pronounced [ùt-tá-yaān hàeng châāt mâāe bping]) is the park located on the west of the ping river[1]. With various mountainous and river terrain, the ecosystem is different in each terrain area of the park[1]. The park is abundant in natural resources, resulting in a proposal to transfer from a protection area to a national park[1], also, it is known for birding due to the high elevation of the park location[2]. The park is undergoing a wildfire problem from the elongated folk wisdom and implemented the solutions[3].

Geography

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Mae Ping National Park is characterized by a mountainous terrain, primarily composed of fold mountains running north to south. The highest peak, known as, "Don Huai Lao," reaches an elevation of 1,334 meters. The western boundary of the park is defined by the Mae Ping River, a significant waterway in the region[1]. Several smaller creeks and streams originate from these mountains, eventually feeding into the Mae Ping River. These waterways contribute to the diverse habitats within the park, ranging from dry dipterocarp forests to lush evergreen forests and grasslands[1]. The presence of limestone formations adds another layer of complexity to the terrain, creating caves and cliffs that provide shelter for various species[1].

Bhumibol Dam 12

The park located in the northern part of Thailand, Mae Ping National Park experiences a climate typical of the region, with three distinct seasons: rainy, cold, and hot[2]. The presence of the mountains and extensive forest cover influences the local climate, resulting in variations in temperature and rainfall within the park itself[1][2]. The average temperature in the higher elevations hovers around 25 degrees Celsius, while the lower regions near the Bhumibol Dam are slightly warmer, averaging 27 degrees Celsius[1]. The park receives an average annual rainfall of 1,060-1,184 mm, with September being the most humid month[1]. This seasonal variation in rainfall contributes to the dry deciduous nature of the forests, which are prone to wildfires during the dry season[1][4].

Mae Ping National Park in Northern Thailand offers a diverse array of attractions for nature enthusiasts. Thung Kik Kaeng Ko and Ko Luang Waterfall are specifically highlighted as points of interest[1]. The dry dipterocarp forests are particularly renowned for their diverse bird species, attracting both local and international birdwatchers[4][5]. Visitors can explore the park through activities like trekking, nature trails, and waterfall visits[6]. For those interested in geology, cave exploration opportunities abound, with limestone formations such as Koh Luang Waterfall and Yang Wee Cave, featuring stalactites and stalagmites.

History

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The initial push towards the park's creation emerged in 1978 when the Tourism Promotion Board of Lamphun passed a resolution, advocating for the establishment of a forest park within the Mae Hat – Mae Ko National Reserved Forest[1]. This resolution aimed to harness the tourism potential of the area while implementing measures for controlled and organized activities. This marked the beginning of a series of surveys and assessments to determine the area's suitability for protection.

Following the resolution, the Chiang Mai Regional Forest Office commissioned Mr. Chaliao Nimnuan to conduct an initial survey[1]. His findings supported the establishment of a forest park, prompting a report to the Royal Forest Department. Subsequently, in 1979, the National Park Division of the Royal Forest Department tasked Mr. Sampan Midewan, another Forestry Officer, to thoroughly investigate the area[1]. His survey, completed in June 1980, underscored the region's rich biodiversity, scenic beauty, and unique natural formations, concluding that it met the criteria for a national park designation[1].

The combined efforts of these surveys culminated in a pivotal decision by the National Park Board. On August 8th, 1981, they officially designated the area encompassing Mae Hat and Mae Ko Forests as Thailand's 32nd national park[1]. This significant milestone marked the culmination of years of assessments and proposals, recognizing the area's ecological and tourism value. Interestingly, the park initially bore the name "Mae Hat-Mae Ko National Park," reflecting the specific forest areas it encompassed. However, the Royal Forest Department later opted to rename it "Mae Ping National Park," acknowledging the prominent Mae Ping River as a defining characteristic of the park's western boundary and a vital component of its ecosystem[1]. A notable event in the park's history occurred in 1994 when it underwent an expansion to incorporate Provincial Highway No. 1087[1]. This expansion aimed to strengthen conservation efforts by curbing deforestation, preventing illegal hunting, and ensuring the sustainable management of the park's natural resources. The decision to expand the park's boundaries highlights the ongoing commitment to safeguarding the region's biodiversity and ecological integrity.

Birding

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Mae Ping National Park is a great place for birdwatching because it provides access to mature dry dipterocarp forest[4][5], a habitat that is not common among Thailand's main bird-watching locations[4]. While this type of forest is not visually appealing to non-birders, a large number of birds who are habitat specialists live there, making it attractive to bird watchers who enjoy the diversity of different species[4][5]

Chinese Francolin Francolinus pintadeanus
Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus
Striated Heron Butorides striata
Little Egret Egretta garzetta
Eastern Cattle Egret Bubulcus coromandus
Chinese Pond Heron Ardeola bacchus
Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes
Oriental Honey-buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus
Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela
Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus
Shikra Accipiter badius
Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis
Rufous-winged Buzzard Butastur liventer
Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus limnaeetus
White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis
Collared Falconet Microhierax caerulescens
Feral Pigeon Columba livia
Red Collared Dove Streptopelia tranquebarica
Oriental Turtle Dove Streptopelia orientalis
Spotted Dove Spilopelia chinensis
Zebra Dove Geopelia striata
Common Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica
Orange-breasted Green Pigeon Treron bicinctus
Thick-billed Green Pigeon Treron curvirostra
Yellow-footed Green Pigeon Treron phoenicopterus
Vernal Hanging Parrot Loriculus vernalis
Grey-headed Parakeet Psittacula finschii
Blossom-headed Parakeet Psittacula roseata
Greater Coucal Centropus sinensis
Green-billed Malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis
Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus
Asian Emerald Cuckoo Chrysococcyx maculatus
Banded Bay Cuckoo Cacomantis sonneratii
Asian Drongo Cuckoo Surniculus lugubris
Large Hawk Cuckoo Hierococcyx sparverioides
Mountain Scops Owl Otus spilocephalus
Collared Scops Owl Otus lettia
Collared Owlet Glaucidium brodiei
Asian Barred Owlet Glaucidium cuculoides
Spotted Owlet Athene brama
Brown Boobook Ninox scutulata
Large-tailed Nightjar Caprimulgus macrurus
Crested Treeswift Hemiprocne coronata
Himalayan Swiftlet Aerodramus brevirostris
Brown-backed Needletail Hirundapus giganteus
Asian Palm Swift Cypsiurus balasiensis
House Swift Apus nipalensis
Orange-breasted Trogon Harpactes oreskios
Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis
White-throated Kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis
Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis
Blue-bearded Bee-eater Nyctyornis athertoni
Green Bee-eater Merops orientalis
Chestnut-headed Bee-eater Merops leschenaulti
Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops
Great Barbet Megalaima virens
Lineated Barbet Megalaima lineata
Coppersmith Barbet Megalaima haemacephala
Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker Dendrocopos canicapillus
White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis
Greater Yellownape Chrysophlegma flavinucha
Black-headed Woodpecker Picus erythropygius
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Common Flameback Dinopium javanense
Greater Flameback Chrysocolaptes guttacristatus
Lesser Yellownape Picus chlorolophus
Rufous Woodpecker Micropternus brachyurus
Great Slaty Woodpecker Mulleripicus pulverulentus
Silver-breasted Broadbill Serilophus lunatus
Bar-winged Flycatcher-shrike Hemipus picatus
Large Woodshrike Tephrodornis virgatus
Common Woodshrike Tephrodornis pondicerianus
Ashy Woodswallow Artamus fuscus
Common Iora Aegithina tiphia
Large Cuckooshrike Coracina macei
Indochinese Cuckooshrike Coracina polioptera
Black-winged Cuckooshrike Coracina melaschistos
Rosy Minivet Pericrocotus roseus
Ashy Minivet Pericrocotus divaricatus
Small Minivet Pericrocotus cinnamomeus
Scarlet Minivet Pericrocotus speciosus
Brown Shrike Lanius cristatus
Burmese Shrike Lanius collurioides
Long-tailed Shrike Lanius Schach
Slender-billed Oriole Oriolus tenuirostris
Black-hooded Oriole Oriolus xanthornus
Black Drongo Dicrurus macrocercus
Ashy Drongo Dicrurus leucophaeus
Bronzed Drongo Dicrurus aeneus
Lesser Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus remifer
Hair-crested (Spangled) Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo Dicrurus paradiseus
White-browed Fantail Rhipidura aureola
Malaysian Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica
Black-naped Monarch Hypothymis azurea
Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius
Red-billed Blue Magpie Urocissa erythroryncha
Rufous Treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda
Eastern Jungle Crow Corvus levaillantii
Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa ceylonensis
Black-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus atriceps
Black-crested Bulbul Pycnonotus flaviventris
Red-whiskered Bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
Sooty-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus aurigaster
Stripe-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus finlaysoni
Streak-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus blanfordi
Puff-throated Bulbul Alophoixus pallidus
Grey-eyed Bulbul Iole propinqua
Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica
Asian House Martin Delichon dasypus
Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica
Striated Swallow Cecropis striolata
Yellow-bellied Warbler Abroscopus superciliaris
Yellow-streaked Warbler Phylloscopus armandii
Radde's Warbler Phylloscopus schwarzi
Yellow-browed Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus inornatus
Two-barred Warbler Phylloscopus plumbeitarsus
Thick-billed Warbler Phragamaticola aedon
Rufescent Prinia Prinia rufescens
Grey-breasted Prinia Prinia hodgsonii
Common Tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius
Pin-striped Tit Babbler Macronus gularis
Puff-throated Babbler Pellorneum ruficeps
White-crested Laughingthrush Garrulax leucolophus
Yellow-eyed Babbler Chrysomma sinense
Plains Nuthatch Sitta neglecta
Velvet-fronted Nuthatch Sitta frontalis
Common Hill Myna Gracula religiosa
Common Myna Acridotheres tristis
Eyebrowed Thrush Turdus obscurus
Oriental Magpie Robin Copsychus saularis
White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus
Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus
Hill Blue Flycatcher Cyornis banyumas
Tickell's Blue Flycatcher Cyornis tickelliae
Siberian Rubythroat Calliope calliope
Taiga Flycatcher Ficedula albicilla
Blue Rockthrush Monticola solitarius
Pied Bushchat Saxicola caprata
Eastern Stonechat Saxicola stejnegeri
Blue-winged Leafbird Chloropsis cochinchinensis
Golden-fronted Leafbird Chloropsis aurifrons
Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker Dicaeum cruentatum
Ruby-cheeked Sunbird Chalcoparia singalensis
Purple Sunbird Cinnyris asiaticus
Olive-backed Sunbird Cinnyris jugularis
Little Spiderhunter Arachnothera longirostra
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus
White-rumped Munia Lonchura striata
Scaly-breasted Munia Lonchura Punctulata
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
White Wagtail Motacilla alba
Paddyfield Pipit Anthus rufulus
Olive-backed Pipit Anthus hodgsoni

Flora

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Deciduous Forest

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Mae Ping National Park is largely dominated by deciduous forests, which compose approximately 80% of the park's total forested area[1][2]. These deciduous forests are particularly prominent in mountainous regions with sandy soil and elevations below 1,000 meters above sea level[1]. The remaining 20% of the park's forests comprise evergreen forests[1][2].

Notable tree species found within this forest type include:

Lower-growing plants in the Deciduous Dipterocarp Forest include:

Mixed Deciduous Forest

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Another significant forest type within the park is the Mixed Deciduous Forest, found in plains and along mountain slopes at elevations between 450 and 800 meters.[1] This forest type is characterized by tree species such as:

The understory of the Mixed Deciduous Forest features plants like:

The park's evergreen forests encompass both Dry Evergreen Forest and Tropical Rain Forest[1]. These forests are primarily located in narrow valleys and along creeks[1]. Some of the plant species found within this forest type are:

Grassland

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Mae Ping National Park also features grasslands, notably Thung Kik and Thung Na Ngu[1]. These grasslands are situated on hillsides at an elevation of approximately 550 meters above sea level[1].The soil in these areas is primarily sandy clay or gravel[1]. Due to their composition, these grasslands are susceptible to wildfires, which occur frequently[1]. Sparsely distributed perennial plants such as Semecarpus cochinchinensis Engl., Terminalia alata Heyne, and Terminalia chebula are found in these grasslands, while the ground cover consists of Phoenix acaulis, Imperata cylindrica, Myrica esculenta Buch, and White Angel[1].

Fauna

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Mae Ping National Park supports a diverse range of animal life[1].

Mammals[1]

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Reptiles[1]

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Amphibians[1]

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Aquatics

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Mae Ping National Park's waterways, particularly the Mae Ping River, are home to a variety of freshwater fish species, including[1]

Wildfire

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A significant factor contributing to the frequent wildfires in Mae Ping National Park is the local communities' reliance on fire for various activities, often stemming from deeply ingrained beliefs and economic needs[3]. For instance, locals often set fire to the forest floor, believing it enhances mushroom growth, a practice deemed detrimental by experts and unsupported by scientific evidence[3]. Additionally, the common practice of burning fields after harvest to clear weeds and debris further escalates the risk of uncontrolled fires[3]. The use of fire for hunting, intended to flush out animals, also significantly contributes to the occurrence of these wildfires[3]. These practices, while deeply rooted in tradition and essential for local livelihoods, pose considerable challenges to wildfire prevention.

To mitigate these risks, Mae Ping National Park has implemented a multifaceted approach to wildfire prevention. The park utilizes firebreaks as a primary strategy, creating cleared corridors of land to contain the spread of fire[3]. However, the effectiveness of firebreaks depends on their length, strategic placement, and maintenance, which can be limited[3]. Another strategy involves reducing flammable materials, focusing on the abundant dry leaves covering the forest floor[3]. Prescribed burns are also employed under controlled conditions to clear these fuel sources. However, this method requires meticulous planning and execution to prevent them from escalating into uncontrolled wildfires[3]. A more sustainable approach encourages the cultivation of Termitomyces mushrooms[3]. These mushrooms thrive on dead leaves, offering a natural way to reduce fuel while generating income for local communities, thereby lessening their dependence on fire-dependent foraging[3]. The park also emphasizes communication and awareness about fire risks through a dedicated LINE Official Account[3]. This platform shares real-time fire data from reliable sources like NASA FIRMS, CUSense, and Windy, enabling quicker responses to potential fire outbreaks[3]. Complementing this is a Facebook Marketplace, connecting local mushroom sellers with wider markets to promote the economically viable and sustainable cultivation of Termitomyces mushrooms [3].

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al "Mae Ping National Park".
  2. ^ a b c d e f administrator (2018-08-08). "Mae Ping National Park "beautiful forests and wonderful for birdwatching"". My Chiang Mai Tour. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chaemchuea, P., Charupaisankit, K., Chuwisetsuk, P., Gardner, N., Morrissey, S., Nitivanich, T., Sundaraneedi, S., & Yatim, M. (2021). Forest fire management and prevention in Mae Ping National Park. Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Chulalongkorn University.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Bird Watching at Mae Ping National Park". thaibirding.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  5. ^ a b c "Bird Watching at Mae Ping National Park". thaibirding.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  6. ^ "Mae Ping Bird Checklist". thaibirding.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
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