Water resources policy and administrative management

Target Population/Location of project: 440 farming families in 22 villages of Bung Khong Long District, Nongkhai Province. Project members depend on the 1,290-ha Bung Khong Long Wetland for livelihood activities and food security. In response to threats to the wetland s vitality posed by chemical-intensive agriculture, waste from tourism, and unregulated fishing, the project aims to take a community-based approach to reversing degradation. Objectives: 1. Reduce drainage of chemicals into the Bung Khong Long Wetland 2. Formulate a plan for sustainable use of water species 3. Reduce costs associated with agricultural production Planned activities: 1. Hold open forums and study tours to build project members capacity re: water species conservation, waste management in tourist spots, production of organic compost, and sustainable agriculture 2. Create regulations for sustainable use of water species 3. Launch an educational campaign on chemical-free agriculture in 22 villages 4. Establish an Organic Compost Fund Anticipated outputs: 1. Project members show ability to analyze fishing patterns by using records of the number and species of fish caught to identify dwindling populations 2. A 500 m^2 No Fishing Zone is demarcated in each participating village; regulations are established where fishing is allowed 3. Application of chemical fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide is halved; (current annual usage is, respectively, 2,500 bags, 1,100 litres and 780 litres)

Thailand