Environmental research

The project is developed with the participation of CFi committee, local authorities at village, commune and district levels, officials from Peam Ror district Office of Agriculture and Fisheries Administration, and Chetthor. Prior to the project formulation, an VRA was undertaken with 2 target villages out of 4 with facilitation and guidance from Chetthor staff, and identified priorities defined by communities in their response to CC and biodiversity as part of the need for their adaptation to impacts of CC. VRA findings show that drought has occurred more frequently leading to shortage of water for domestic use and for irrigating dry season rice. The fish catch is declining year after year, due partly to loss and degradation of flooded forest, their spawning grounds, and illegal and destructive fishing, compounded by the limited awareness and management capacity. Rice and other crop production is declining due to damage by pest and frequently crops such as corn, beans, and rice seeds cannot be kept for farming. Global warming has been causing problems facing human, livestock, and crops. In 2011, flood had the significant toll on crops and infrastructure. This has the significant bearing on their livelihood and some households become desperate and decided to migrate in search of job, and many children have to be pulled out of schools to work in garment factory. Lack of capacity and skills, capital, irrigation infrastructure, information, and experiences are the major constraint for them to adapt to CC. To respond to the above issues, the project proposes a number of actions as follows: 1. Rehabilitate Prek Kamong Chamnar to provide sufficient water for irrigating 1,225 ha dry season rice for 1,700 households to displace current use if underground water; and 2. Increase income among 225 SHG members, 70% women, by 45% from dry season rice farming. The project aims to rehabilitate and restore biodiversity and socio-economic situation of the rural poor in the area. The project will focus its attention on the poorest households, particularly those affected by CC. The project will work with 225 people, 155 women, from 5 SHGs in 4 villages. 1.2 Goal To improve local livelihood in the target area through conservation of brood fish and flooded forest in Prek Chamnar, former lot # 7. 1.3 Project outcome Outcome 1: Ecosystem in the CFi is improved through rehabilitation of 600 m canal, 7m top width, 4 m bottom width, and 3 m depth, and planting 3,000 flooded forest trees by 225 beneficiaries, 155 women; and Outcome 2: Livelihood of CFi members is improved and vulnerability to CC reduced through introduction of drought and flood resistant rice strains. 1.3 Key expected outputs Output 1.1 (Outcome 1): Prek Kampong Chamnar rehabilitated to provide water accessible by 2,145 villagers, 1,654 female, from 1,700 households for irrigating 1,225 ha of rice field to replace underground water utilization; Output 2.1 (Outcome 2): Income of 875 SHG members, 657 women, from 225 households increased by 45% from application of new rice strain (Pka Rumduol). 1.4 Key activities of the project Sub-output 1.1.1 (Output 1.1, Outcome 1): Prek Kampong Chamnar 600m - 3 m depth, 7 m top width, and 4m bottom width - rehabilitated. Activities - Meeting to launch the project on biodiversity conservation and community development in 4 target villages and share information on rehabilitation of Prek Kampong Chamnar in Ba Baong CFi; - Meeting with Fisheries officials and relevant authority to discuss plan for rehabilitation; - Advertising for selection of qualified contractor through commune procurement committee; - Organizing bidding and contractual arrangement with bid winner; and - Rehabilitation of 600 m canal - 3 m depth, 7 m top width, and 4 m bottom width - and M the quality of the work. Sub-output 1.2.1 (Output 1.1, Outcome 1): Flooded forest rehabilitated with 3,000 trees planted to enhance biodiversity and protected effectively by patrol team. Activities - Seeking quotations and purchasing 3,000 saplings (Raing and Tros) for planting in conservation area; - Planting 3,000 saplings in collaboration with local authority, FiA cantonment and relevant stakeholders; - Posting 3 sign boards in the planted area; - Provision of advice and development of patrolling plan for conservation forest in the CFi area in collaboration with local authorities; and - Purchasing and delivering of a powered boat, 13 horse-powers, to the CFi for patrolling and facilitation for participating by relevant stakeholder. Sub-output 1.3.1 (Output 1.1, Outcome 1): Awareness raised among 240 CFi members on NRM and impacts of CC. Activities - Organizing 4 meetings with 240 CFi members, 140 women, one in each of the 4 villages to raise awareness on NRM and impacts of CC; - Facilitating quarterly meeting by Ba Baong CFi Committee, commune council, and district governor to present results of the project, and develop patrolling and follow-up management plan; and - Organizing fish day and campaign against illegal fishing and raising awareness on impacts of CC. Sub-output 2.1.1 (Output 2.1, Outcome 2): Management capacity of 9 SHGs built and group funds used to expand agriculture based livelihood through demonstration of new rice varieties. Activities - Organizing, in collaboration with village and commune officials, SHGs in accordance with the established criteria and development of internal rule for the groups; - Facilitation and provision of fund to the 9 SHGs for aur

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