Water resources policy and administrative management

With catchment area of 3,390 sq.km. and length of 233 km., the Se Buy River runs its course through Yasothorn,Amnartcharoen and Ubonratchathani Province before converge into the Moon River,a major tributary of the Mekhong River.This forest and agricultural ecosystems was endowed with natural resources and serving as water species habitats. Due to the rich endowment of the area, there have been schemes of natural resources exploitation from both public and people sectors which often led to conflict of use during the past decades. Naturally, the conflict has been the result of deforestation , dwindling numbers of water species, degrading quality of water from agricultural practices and land ownership system. The conflict ranges from community against community, government against community, landlords against community and government against landlords. Natural community leaders were apt to agree that all these conflict were the result of national ,centralized development plans of the past. In the year 2000, community networks of Amnartcharoen Province had launched open forums to analyze the situation then formulated measures for managing the natural resources. The forums had led to the establishment of the Community Forest Network of Amnartcharoen covering 24 forest areas in seven districts. Of these areas, the five target villages possess potentiality for demonstration of conservation management and for communication of the result and lessons learnt. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Target population of 1,500 households are direct beneficiaries, with other neighbouring villages and secondary beneficiaries. 2.Other agencies as direct contributors to the project: - Jikku Tambol Administrative Organization provides part of financial support -Five community schools in the villages participate in activities and provide in-kindly. -Five temples in the villages participate in activities and provide in-kindly. -Tambol Development Offices support collective activities Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Launching ecosystems survey followed by seminars, study tours, analyze , open forums 2.Formulating plan for development of the basin 3.Launching nursery, production of organic fertilizer and toxic-free agriculture 4.Summarizing lessons learnt on local economy 5.Launching open forums, seminars and community radio programme for campaigns Anticipated results/Immediate Output of project: 1.Emergence of six leaders in each target village as coordinator 2.Acknowledgment of plan by TAOs and the Royal Irrigation Department 3. About 70 % of population in target areas gaining insight on related subjects and being able to practice nursery and plant propagation 4.About 60 % of population in target areas gaining additional income 5. Reduction of chemical substances by approximately 70 % 6. Emergence of a new environment and natural resources network focusing on forest, land and water in Amanrtcharoen Province

Thailand