The Thai island of Koh Tao is an important point on the tourist map of Asia. It is mostly famous for the well-developed center of scuba diving. In the Thai language the name of the island means a “turtle island” – the name comes not only from the turtles inhabiting its neighborhood (mostly green sea and hawksbill sea turtles) but also from the characteristic shape of the island that resembles these reptiles. Rapid development of tourism and changes that followed contributed to significant changes in the local ecosystem. Today the local people undertake numerous actions that are meant to protect endangered species and reconstruct their natural habitat.
