Water resources policy and administrative management

During the past 15 years the project location which is a portion of a sub-basin of LowerMekhong Basin (Mae Kok Sub-basin)has been degraded through a community economy scheme of the government. Merely allocating lands for indigent population, the scheme had not prepared nor built the capacity of the population on the area management. This has resulted in deforestation, siltation in many tributaries ,water shortage for agriculture and sudden flood. Depending upon the provision of the area now providing less, communities are living under pressure. The income is far less than the outgo. Temporary migration for work and collapse of family lives are imminent. Based in the locality, the organization perceives the importance of raising awareness and genuinely participation of concerned communities. By allowing a systematic management, the degrading situation could be gradually reversed and the watershed rehabilitated. This would benefit local environment and accrue to global level at large. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To build capacity of community organizations in management of environment and natural resources in a sustainable and participatory way. 2.To raise awareness of both primary and secondary target population in mutual understanding and participation in conservation of natural resources and environment 3.To expand networking and collaboration for implementation of conservation activities Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Conducting workshops, seminars , training and study tours on the following subjects: -nursery,reforestation,fire-break demarcation,forest guarding, community waste management, charcoal-producing from biomass 2.Putting into practices what are learnt from the process in 1 3.Disseminating the output of activities to public & private sectors and population in 14 villages Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Target population are primary beneficiaries 2.Regional Community forestry training Centre for Asia and Pacific(RECOFTC) 3.Centre for Local Integrated Development 4.Wiang Pa Pao District Forestry Office and Chiangrai Regional forestry Office 5.OISCA Thailand Agro Forestry Centre Anticipated results of project: 1.Emergence of precise management plan for the organization 2.Cooperation & support from both public & private sector 3.Conservation networks receiving more members 4.Produced charcoal approximately 4,400 tons / months 5. Reduced household waste to 50% ( current figure is 3 kg/day/family)

Thailand