Environmental research

The Doi Inthanont Protection Group previously known as the Chomthong School Wildfire Fighting Volunteer Group, was established in 1994.After its inception the youth groups have congregated to launch campaigns to protect wildfire in various locations and joined activities in fire fighting with the Royal Forestry Department in the Doi Inthanon and Ob Luang Range National Park.The successive activities are youth training which are being replicated in neighbouring provinces. The development strategy of the group, apart from directly controlling wildfire, is to promote quality of life among youths and local people by building capacity in various aspects which ensure sustainable livelihood ,conservation and protection awareness.The target population are youths in schools and under-privileged youths,especially the youths and women of minority groups. At present the group is an autonomous organization comprising youths, local people, government officers. The group operates on a volunteer basis and is not registered. However, the group naturally works hand in hand with other agencies/organizations,both private and public. The target population is minority group residing in remote areas inaccessible by car.There has been no electricity. Most of them live under poverty. The communication with outside communities is very difficult.The production from efforts of communities is mainly agricultural which requires further processing.As to energy consumption,lighting is secured from burning pine trees and cooking/heating from fuelwoods.The average annual consumption rate is 1-2 cu.m of pine trees and 3-5 cu.m of fuelwoods per family.Since this population dwell in the conservation area, there arises the conflict in daily living unavoidably. Activities to be carried out under project: 1. Developing the utilization of solar energy and mini-hydro for household lighting in place of burning pine trees 2.Developing the utilization of solar energy in the form of solar heater in food processing.The processed food/agricultural product are expected to provide ncome for the population 3.Developing the energy-saving cooking stove in place of the less efficient currently in use 4.Planting trees for fuelwoods 5.Building biogas pits for demonstration by using the design from the Department of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture and Coorperative Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1. The minority group from 10 villages residing around the Inthanont Range 2. The Royal Forestry Department 3. The Department of Agriculture Extension 4. The Department of Energy Development and Promotion Anticipated results of project: 1.After the completion of the project, about 50 f amilies residing I n Mae Pon watershed area will acquire knowledge on renewable energy and become familiar with its consumption. 2.With the merit of renewable energy, the faimilies will earn additional income through weaving and agricultural product processing.This additional income is estimated at 50 %. 3.At least 20 % reduction in unsustainable fuelwoods consumption 4.At least 90 % reduction in burning pine tree for lighting

Thailand