Water resources policy and administrative management

A mountain ecosystems serving as fresh water reservoir for and being an integral part of both the Gulf of Thailand and the Sea of Bengal, the project location is the residence of two ethnic minority groups, the Karen and the Hmong whose livelihood depends upon agricultural practices and provision of the ecosystems. The most typical crops include corn for feed, cabbage and carrot for human consumption. As for corn, the increasing demand has prompted the requirement of more and more cultivated land thus resulted in the encroachment and deforestation of forest area. As a rule in modern Thailand ,coupled with limited literacy rate, target population has limited option so follows the simple and easy rule of practice in applying chemical substances . As a direct consequence, the practice has adversely affected the health of population , the potential of soil and quality of the water. As a fresh water reservoir, the target area contributes water into the Yord River Ping River-Chao Phaya River ,and eventually, the Gulf of Thailand. With no agencies being attentive enough to the deteriorating situation, the foundation regards this as an urgent issues requiring a process of reversal or the entire target area would become a barren mountain full of undesirable chemical substances. In order to reverse the above-mentioned degradation trends, building capacity of target population on use and effect of chemical substances is imperative and urgent. Increased capacity of target population and close monitoring system would pave the right way to collective plan for addressing the degradation of land and water in the area. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Target population of 1,500 households are direct beneficiaries 2.Other agencies as indirect contributors to the project: -The Royal Project carrying out re-vegetation activities -The Rak Thai Foundation carrying out re-vegetation project in degraded land -The Christian Service Foundation carrying out poverty alleviation and income generation projects Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Launching training, seminars and study tours on related subjects 2.Putting into practice what is being learnt Anticipated results/Immediate Outputs of project: 1.Cessation of disposal of chemical substances and other pollutants into river courses 2.Increased numbers of farmers participating in the campaigns 3.Emergence of a network with representatives from each participating villages to carry on conservation activities for water courses

Thailand