Water resources policy and administrative management

The Gulf of Thailand is rated as one of the richest sea in the world. Its coastal ecosystem comprises mangrove ,marine species and coral offering a secured settlement. At present, the ecosystem of the gulf has been affected by the non-sustainable development projects. Such projects have turned the once- rich and clean gulf into the sea of pollution . It is the result of conflict in utilizing coastal areas for agriculture and industry in conjunction with growing human settlement. These changing situation has caused the degradation of the ecosystem and quality of life of communities. The degradation is apt to affect wider area and increase in severity. The Gulf of Thailand Conservation and Protection Project will help solve the problems through raising awareness of local youths and encouraging them to participate in the conservation and protection activities. The impact of this will be then diffused into wider population. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1. To conduct survey and study of problems and their causes as well as other factors affecting the degradation of the ecosystem of the coastal area 2. To generate knowledge & information and support the participation of teachers and youth groups in conservation and management of natural resources 3. To disseminate problems to publics and launch campaigns which will lead to the solution in the future 4. To promote learning process and build capacity of communities in sustainable management of natural resources 5. To coordinate with other sectors such as government, other NGOs, private sector and business sector in formulating plans for sustainable conservation Activities to be carried out under project: 1. To conduct environment training and preliminary survey for youths, teachers and community leaders 2. To build capacity of target population in the aspects of survey, information collection, and activity procedure 3. To launch disseminating and campaigning activities through mass media , exhibition and lecturing unit Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1. Teachers and students from 13 schools in target areas 2. 13 communities of target areas / interested population from Petburi and Prachuabkhirikhan Province Anticipated results of project: 1. At least 50 % of participating teachers , students, volunteers and community leaders are capable of conducting survey and data collection for analysing the quality of the water and changing circumstances. 2. There emerge protection groups comprising teachers, youths and communities through the coordination of villagers, government officers, acadyms, business sectors and NGOs. 3. Target groups undergo learning process and possess potentials in sustainable management of natural resources. .

Thailand