Water resources policy and administrative management

In the past, Karnchanaburi province was rich in natural resources and healthy environment. The forest areas in 4 districts are watershed areas of the Meklong River which provides water for livelihood for many provinces. The river flows through Kanchanburi, Rachaburi, Nakhonprathom and into the Gulf of Thailand in Samutsongkhram. The population growth coupled with the industrial development have rendered the forest areas reduction and ecosystem of Karnchaburi less efficient. The rate of consumption of basic resources ,such as land ,forest and water, are ever-increasing. Simultaneously, the demand for energy to keep human facilities is always escalating. The conflict arising from the utilization of natural resources by various groups, the problems from community waste and industrial estate are all the product of the short-sighted vision of industrial development. The main cause of these problems is the ignorance of communities: they fail to perceive the unfavourable consequence such a development would bring and fail to be more serious in conserving their immediate environment. As there has been no agency taking responsibility to educate and raise conservation awareness, the Karn Conservation Group, as a grass root, community-based organization, regards this as an utmost important activity and thus initiates the education and capacity-building on natural resources and environment management for youths groups and population in the province. These groups of population will then be able to manage their own natural resources and immediate environment sustainably. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1. To raise environmental conservation awareness at provincial level for youth groups and other population 2. To disseminate and make public the current environmental problems and also to solicit participatory approaches form these target population 3. To forge partnership and collaboration in natural resources conservation among target population Activities to be carried out under project: 1. To conduct study tours for the target population 2. To organize seminars on environmental problems and suitable approach 3. To provide training for youth groups and community leaders 4. To produce documents for youth networking 5. To launch radio programme Radio for Environment Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1. Youth Group - 50 youths from Karn Environmental Protection Group - 150 youths from wider area of Karnchanaburi Province 2. Population Group - 200 community leaders - 1,000 people from wider area of Karnchanaburi Province Anticipated results of project: 1. The participating population gain insight on natural resources and environmental management and at least 50 % of the number is able to disseminate what was learnt to wider audience put into practices in daily living. 2. At least 50 % of the participating population takes part in the solution process for environmental problems in the locality. 3. There emerges at least one environmental network of youth and one of community leaders.

Thailand