Chiva Som, the Internationally recognized Health and Wellness Spa in Hua Hin has an ongoing commitment to raise environmental awareness and preservation in our local community. They are proactively involved in conserving our valuable natural resources. They have several initiatives, policies and practices in place to viably sustain Chiva-Som’s business and grow into the future with an environmentally responsible approach.
For the last few years, Chiva-Som and the Preserve Hua Hin Group has been developing “Krailart Niwate”, the Mangrove Ecosystem Preservation & Science Education Centre in the last remaining urban mangrove forest in Hua Hin. The objectives of the project is to rehabilitate and preserve the mangrove as a viable living ecosystem and promote science education and ecotourism in the area.
A 1,000-meter elevated boardwalk throughout the mangrove was constructed to bring individuals into the ecosystem to help them understand both the stability and fragility of mangrove forests, and the symbiotic relationship between plants, animals and water. The boardwalk was opened to the public in December 2015 and Chiva-Som provided the funding for the construction.
In the next phase, a state of the art science education center is going to be built as a showcase of sustainability designed for low environmental impact and energy conservation. The mangrove rehabilitation project is located on land owned by the Buddhist temple Wat Khao Krai Lart. The project has been underway by the Preserve Hua Hin Group since 2007 with the planting of over 1,000 trees.
The aspirations of the project, beyond physical rehabilitation, incorporate ‘inspiring and motivating today’s youth to develop an interest in studying sciences for a sustainable future’, and ‘to promote environmental wellness as a vital component of community wellness’. The project was awarded 1st Place for Sustainable Development in Tourism for Marine/Coastal Tourism at the SKAL International Awards 2014.
The mangrove is situated on 12 rai of protected wetland at the foot of the Wat Khao Krailart temple approximately two kilometres from Chiva-Som. The project is going to be commissioned in honor and celebration of the 60th birthday anniversary of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Since 2004, Chiva-Som has been working through the Preserve Hua Hin Group (PHHG), under Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, to drive environmental preservation awareness while promoting natural resource conservation initiatives and social interaction within the local community, by organising and sponsoring events such as carbon neutral, ‘climate positive’ outdoor concerts, half marathons, mangrove reforestation projects, waste to art exhibitions, beach clean-ups, and other activities for social welfare and community improvement.
Chiva-Som is Asia’s first comprehensive wellness retreat and destination spa, providing proven transformations in mind, body and spirit towards optimal wellness. For more information on Chiva-Som or to book your stay, visit www.chivasom.com, email reservation@chivasom.com or call the resort on Tel: +66 (0) 3253-6536.