Water resources policy and administrative management

The project area covers downstream portion of Kok and Bong Basin, both converging into the Mekhong River, with low flatland, hilly land and high flat land. Target population earns their living through agricultural practice ,mostly mono cash crops such as paddy , corn and other horticulture in low flat land along the rivers, oranges and other fruits in hilly land. Other supplementary occupation and source of income is husbandry. Fishery is practiced at self-sufficient scale. The two rivers provide water for agriculture and household consumption. Majority of people are classified as low income with Baht: 10,000-15,000 per capita. Expense generally exceeds income in this modern days. National economic development , modern agriculture promotion in conjunction with market mechanism have caused disruption to traditional agriculture ways of life. Chemical substances have been applied without effective regulation and resulted in degradation of water and land. Helplessly, target population have to rely upon outside factor, especially, big agribusiness and money lenders. Local ecosystems has been left unattended thus deteriorating. Through participatory process, the project would encourage CBOs , to demonstrate sustainable agriculture development by reduction of chemical use , making use of biomass and agricultural waste and initiating basin surveillance. These practice would contribute to the healthy of the basin and of ecosystems of the Mekhong River. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1. Community members in 7 villages would be direct beneficiaries. 2. Staff members of Population Development Association 3. Staff members of the Tambol Centre for Agricultural Technology Transfer 4. Staff members from 3 local schools 5. Staff members of Nong Pa Kor Tambol Administrative Organization 6. Hug Muang Nan Foundation 7. Quality of Life and Environment Development Project 8. Renewable Energy Association, Naresuan University Activities to be carried out under project: -Launching capacity building by open forum, study tours, training on related subjects -Launching resources inventories activities -Providing training and study tours on renewable energy, biogas /biomass energy -Building 3 biogas facilities, 4 biomass ovens and 13 charcoal-producing kilns (from 200-litres drums) - Conducting investigation and resources inventories and uses -Camping for two-age group ( elders and youth) -Conducting study tours -Monitoring water quality in the two rivers -Launching religious rites for conservation Anticipated Results/Immediate Outputs of Project: -Target farmers being able to put what are learnt into practice and being models for others to replicate -emergence of one experience-sharing network -Agrowaste being managed in an environmentally-friendly way - Reduction of canned gas by 8 hrs/ use - Avoidance of electricity from grid by 8 hrs/day - Producing of 50 kg. of charcoal per kiln per burn avoidance of electricity from grid and canned gas - Acquired data and information on available resources , pattern of uses and community attitudes - Emergence of strategy and plan ready for submission to TAOs

Thailand