OECMs: Conservation Beyond Protected Areas

     Biodiversity loss is currently a critical global challenge, encompassing the decline of species, habitat loss, and ecosystem degradation. Since a significant number of valuable natural areas lie outside legally protected zones, future conservation efforts cannot rely solely on national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, or traditional protected areas.

     This is where the conservation of biodiversity outside protected areas, known as OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures), comes into play. It opens up new spaces for conservation aimed at delivering positive, effective, and sustained outcomes for biodiversity.

     The core principle of OECMs does not depend on whether an area holds legal conservation status. Instead, it focuses on whether the area's management can effectively preserve natural values and biodiversity in practice. Therefore, areas with other primary objectives—such as community forests, wetlands, agricultural lands, urban green spaces, or private properties—can be recognized as OECMs if they have clear boundaries, an effective management system, and the ability to maintain biodiversity in the long term.

     Consequently, OECMs serve as a crucial mechanism for achieving the 30×30 target under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which urges countries to effectively conserve and manage at least 30% of their terrestrial, inland water, and marine areas by 2030.
 

Getting to Know Thailand's OECMs

     Thailand has been concretely driving OECMs since 2023, with the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment coordinating the operations. The area evaluation process covers initial qualification screening, obtaining consent from landowners or management rights holders, assessing biodiversity values and management systems, through to certification and long-term monitoring.

     By the end of 2025, five areas totaling 773 rai were officially certified as OECMs. These include the Wangchan Forest Learning Center (Rayong), Khlong Khanom Chin (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), "Cheewapanawat" Biodiversity and Sustainability Learning Center (Chachoengsao), Metro Forest Learning Center (Bangkok), and Singha Park Chiang Rai - Ang 70 Rai (Chiang Rai). In 2026 (as of September), 17 additional areas were officially certified as OECMs, bringing the total to 100,293 rai. These newly certified areas include five recreational forests across Phayao, Bueng Kan, Prachin Buri, and Uthai Thani; five community forests in Tak; Mahidol University's Kanchanaburi Campus; Kasetsart University's Wang Nam Khiao Forestry Student Training and Research Station; and safety zones surrounding the central production and wellhead platforms of the Bongkot South petroleum project.

     These areas possess diverse characteristics, ranging from forest restoration sites, aquatic ecosystem restoration areas, urban green spaces, and wetlands and waterbird habitats, to marine areas. This reflects the core essence of OECMs: conservation areas do not need to conform to a single format, and the land managers do not necessarily have to be direct conservation agencies.

     However, the majority of the areas certified in the initial phase heavily reflect the roles of the private sector and educational institutions. Meanwhile, Thailand still possesses various other types of potential areas—particularly those managed by communities and local authorities, ecologically valuable agricultural lands, and other natural spaces—that can be elevated to OECMs in the future.
 

OECMs Provide Benefits Beyond "More Conservation Areas"

     The value of OECMs goes beyond simply helping Thailand increase its conservation areas to meet the 30×30 target; they are vital for preserving the "natural capital" directly linked to people's livelihoods and the economy.

     Community forests serve as sources of food and herbal medicine while helping to store water and carbon. Wetlands absorb and slow down runoff, providing food and habitats for aquatic life. Mangroves and seagrass beds act as nurseries for marine life and mitigate coastal erosion. Sustainable agriculture preserves local plant varieties, pollinators, and soil fertility. Meanwhile, urban green spaces reduce heat, absorb rainwater, and offer recreational areas for city dwellers.

     OECMs thus bridge the gap between "conservation" and "land utilization," allowing both to proceed harmoniously. They provide an opportunity for those already caring for nature—whether they are communities, local governments, businesses, or landowners—to gain greater recognition for their roles.

 

Moving Towards Elevating and Expanding OECMs

     The initial certification of OECM sites in Thailand marks a significant milestone, demonstrating that conservation can thrive outside legally protected areas. Although the first wave of certified OECMs largely highlights the private sector's role, Thailand has a tremendous opportunity to expand into areas where communities, local administrative organizations, and various agencies are already actively preserving natural values.

     In the next phase, it is crucial to raise awareness and understanding of OECMs. The certification process should be streamlined to remain accessible to land managers without compromising standards. Additionally, a digital system should be developed to link spatial data, biodiversity information, and long-term conservation monitoring results.

     Simultaneously, the approach should shift from passively waiting for submissions to proactive scouting. This will help build cooperation and readiness in potential areas—especially community forests, wetlands, ecologically valuable agricultural lands, local government zones, universities, schools, research centers, and private lands—ensuring that OECMs truly reflect the diversity of the country's landscapes and resource managers.

     Importantly, post-certification support mechanisms must be developed in tandem. This includes providing conservation funding, tax incentives, academic support, and budgets for area management and monitoring, particularly for communities and local governments that possess resource management potential but face budget and personnel limitations.

     Furthermore, simply increasing the number of isolated OECMs may not be sufficient to sustain biodiversity if natural areas remain fragmented and pressured by surrounding development. OECMs must be integrated into the country's broader spatial development planning—encompassing eco-landscape plans, urban planning, buffer zones, and ecological corridors—to establish a resilient, interconnected network of natural areas capable of adapting to long-term changes.

     Thailand's objective should not stop at asking, "How many more OECMs are needed to reach the target?" Instead, it must shift to, "How do we make OECMs an integral part of the country's spatial management system?" This requires standards, credibility, robust data and monitoring systems, financial mechanisms, and recognition of communities and land managers. By linking OECMs with national policies and development planning, we can spark a paradigm shift in conservation thinking—bringing nature preservation directly into the heart of development planning and decision-making processes.

     Ultimately, preserving nature today does more than just reduce future restoration costs; it safeguards the resource base and resilience essential for the economy, society, and the long-term quality of life of the Thai people.