Environmental policy and administrative management

Residing ,for generations, in and around the Namnao National Conservation Forest, target population has earn their living through natural provision and agricultural practice thus been a part of the ecosystems. However, the consumption of natural provision has increased nearly at a irreversible rate while agricultural practices has totally shifted from traditional way to modernized mono-crops. At an estimate, 95 % of the population practice cultivating short-lived ,mono-crops such as wild paddy, corn, ginger, bean requiring a lot of tilling. Moreover, further encroaching into the forest area has worsened land erosion resulting in sedimentation in the Phong River which is one tributary of the Chee River and Mekhong River. These practices and their consequence have been witnessed and appear to become gradually threatening to the ecosystems. Conservation awareness and capacity on environmentally-friendly agriculture for the target population are to be built. This is possible through the promotion of sustainable agriculture for soil and water conservation and promotion of sustainable forest management. The activities of the project will promote the community s role in conservation of soil, water and forest as well as increase of vegetation as carbon sink. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.CBO Development Project and Phong River Rehabilitation Network 2.Pilot Project for Sustainable Agriculture Development of Small Farmers Network 3.Nam nao District, Fire-Protection Unit of Phetchabun, and Namnao Police Station 4.Namnao Tambol Administrative Organization 5.Petchabun Provincial Office though the deputy governor Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Training Forest Protection Volunteer (60) 2.Study tour on environment management by community 3.Patrolling forest and demarcating fire-break and community forest 4.Study tour on sustainable agriculture (40) 5.Launching plantation of fruit trees (30) 6.Seminar for participatory formulating environment management plan 7.Campaign and dissemination through religious rite 8.Summarizing lessons learnt and participatory evaluating Anticipated Results /Immediate Output of Project: 1.Emergence of forest protection volunteer unit of 60 members 2.Reduced illegal logging and deforestation 3.Availability of data & information , maps, photos and record 4.Reduced severity of forest fire and damaged natural resources 5.Emergence of 30 leaders practicing sustainable agriculture and agro-forestry 6.Reduced land erosion 7.Emergence of one-year plan and five-year plan Through participation of various stakeholders 8.Adoption of plans by Namnao Tambol Administrative Organization 9.GEF/SGP better known in Petchabun Province

Thailand