Water resources policy and administrative management

Lower section of Huaylaung Creek and its many wetlands constitute a portion of ecosystems of the Mekhong River Basin. For generations, the creek and its ecosystems have been playing life-supporting roles in term of food and water for household consumption and agriculture for more than 5,000 families residing in the system, let alone the cash income from selling this natural provision to others outside the systems. As a general rule during the past four decades, development scheme such as short-sighted agricultural extension and government infra-structure have resulted in the degradation of the creek and its ecosystems. Furthermore, modern consumption and life style has prompted destructive fishing and usurpation of other edible natural resources. In sum, the eminent threats upon the creek and its ecosystem includes degradation of water quality caused by agricultural practice and community waste, destructive fishing by ignorance, ecological shift due to construction of infrastructure. Even though the activities of the first stage of the project (one year) has seen some accomplishment, especially, in term of congregating various stakeholders and subsequent increased capacity, there remain some unclear result and outcome which are needed to be re-addressed. Besides, the new project is expanding to cover all villages of the lower section of the creek and planning long term conservation plans which are common for the whole target population. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Centre for Agricultural Technology Service at each participating tambol 2.Tambol Administrative Organizations in the target area 3.Primary Schools under the Office of National Primary Education Council 4.Provincial Fishery Office, District Public Health Office 5.Research and Development Institute of Khonkaen University 6.Lower Section Conservation and Development Group Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Monitoring water quality by students and community leaders 2.Launching organic farming applying organic substance to replace chemical fertilizer and pesticide in schools and communities 3.Establishing Garbage Bank and Recycle and Reuse system in targeted schools 4.Launching campaigns and demarcating wetland area against encroachment 5.Re-vegetating marginal areas for food and habitation 6.Upgrading no-fishing zones to as reproduction sources of native species and Mekhong Species 7.Compiling resources inventories of aqua species, regularly flooded areas and flood-prone areas 8.Forming the Lower Section Huaylung Environment Council to oversee and rectify emerging issues in a long term 9.Formulating plan for conservation and rehabilitation of lower section Huayluang and Nongsuang Anticipated Results/Immediate Output of Project: 1.Monthly Report on water quality for public 2.Local curriculum for 17 schools 3.About 520 families practicing organic farming 4.About 52 schools as learning centres for communities 5.About 15 schools managing garbage banks and producing organic solution 6.Clearer areas as wetlands and habitats as well as dissemination materials 7.Increased areas of vegetation (20,000 trees) and fish-reproduction in 10 villages 8.Seven conservation zones in front of temples 9.Precise data & information for formulation of conservation plan 10. Council with 104 members and 10 administrative committee members 11.Conservation & rehabilitation plan through the participation of council and other stakeholders

Thailand