Environmental policy and administrative management

The project area comprises communities in two districts through which the Huay Kaew Creek flow its course to the Moon River then the Mekhong River.The Huay Kaew Reservoir with its capacity of 4,918,720 cu.m is an ecological portion of the Mekhong River has been supplying water for agriculture for 1,000 ha during rainy season and 100 ha dry season. In addition, the reservoir provides water for household consumption in Rattanaburi and Sanom District. Apart from this main creek, there are several tributaries originating in the 3,600 ha - reforested area draining into the reservoir. The current threat to the reservoir includes excessive chemical residue from agriculture, sedimentation from inappropriate agricultural practice and deforestation from requirement for wood consumption of communities. The Huay Kaew Conservation Group emerging as a result of the prevalent environment degradation aims to make understood the drawback of excessive chemical application and instill positive attitude about natural farming as well as put into practice the environmentally-friendly approaches. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To reduce the rate of chemical fertilizer/pesticide application in agricultural practice 2.To rehabilitate and conserve the protection and limited production forest of Mekhong River 3.To improve quality of water in the Huay Kaew Reservoir Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Launching capacity-building activities for target population on production of organic fertilizer and integrated management of environment and natural resources through training, seminars and study tours 2.Producing organic fertilizer for use 3.Launching reforestation project to reduce sedimentation and improve water quality Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Huay Kaew Watershed Management Unit 2.Rattanaburi Tambol Administrative Organization 3.Population Development Association 4 Social Investment Fund Anticipated results of project: 1. Emergence of a rotating fund for producing organic compost of Baht: 213,740: 2. Reduction of chemical fertilizer of about 30,000 kilogrammes/year , equivalent to a savings of about Baht: 252,000:/year ( 40 farming families for 100-ha field) 3.Revegetation activities reduce water turbidity by 25 %

Thailand