Environmental policy and administrative management

Area for Lam Huay Noi Yai ( cradling area of big and small creeks) is another name for project location. It was rich in natural resources on which target population depend for living. As population grows and material progress advances, the area has been under threats. One portion of the bigger Phu Phan Range was promulgated as a national park , the other an allotted lands for landless farmers causing mass migration from surrounding areas of northeastern provinces. One of main causes for degradation of ecosystems and deforestation is the public promotion of mono-cash crop. Four decades back, alien species tapioca was most popular. However, when the price of tapioca plummeted, other species -and their chemicals close relatives and their much water-consuming quality- that were promising to make money became an options. In addition, there has been a number of small business transaction collecting edible species of natural provision in the range and supplying to market as far as Bangkok. This aggressive unplanned use of natural resources has led to gradual degradation of the watershed that will only get worse and adversely affect livelihood of community members in a foreseeable future. Witnessing and being affected by this unfavourable trend, the network had initiated a practice to reverse the situation and address the environmental issues in GEF focal areas by increasing vegetation, reducing the use of chemicals substance, and promoting sustainable use of fire-woods. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: - 90 families in the 8 target villages are primary beneficiaries. - Community Forestry Learning and Developing Centre 7 - Tambol Administrative Organizations - Community Schools in target areas Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Organizing seminars, workshops, training and study tours for 90 network members on concept of integrated farming , community food security, native species propagation and reduction of land erosion 2. Putting into practices what are learnt in 1 @ half-an-acre per family 3. Establishing native species fund for participating members 4. Organizing workshop on organic compost production and high-efficiency stove production for 90 network members ( same as 1) 5. Establishing fund for organic compost and high-efficiency stove 6. providing equipment for making compost pellets Anticipated Results/Immediate Outputs of Project: 1. Increased vegetation of approx.15 ha of integrated farmland in project area: additiona18,000 standing trees of 20 species 2. Emerging Native Tree Fund with 9,000 trees 3. Donated 15,000 trees from the Community Forestry Learning and Developing Centre 7 4. Witnessed reduction of land erosion rate 5. Approximate 90,000 kg. of organic compost for use and sell 6. Approximate 1,800 litres of organic solution for use and sell 7. Estimated savings of Baht: 45,000 on chemical fertilizer 8. Eight stations for producing high-efficiency stoves with 16 litres of wood vinegar (a compound for insect repellant) / one burn 9. Community-scale of organic compost business

Thailand