Water resources policy and administrative management

The area of the 2 tambols is situated in the neighbourhood of the watershed area of Mae Rim and Mae Loh River, two tributaries of the Ping River draining into the Gulf of Thailand. During the past years there has been concentrated accumulation of chemical residue in cultivated land and water courses because the majority of farmers earn their livings by growing chemical substance-requiring mono-crop such as tobacco, soya bean and cabbage. There has also been land erosion in the upper land due to mono-crop plantation on the steep slope. This practice of production aiming to increase the yield for ever-increasing market has prompted the communities to abundantly apply chemical fertilizer and pesticide. So abundantly is the rate of application that its effects are witnessed in human bodies and water species. Realizing this adverse effect to the environment , the communities in conjunction with the foundation have initiated activities to reverse the trends so as to conserve the environment for health and local indigenous livelihood. Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects): 1.To build capacity of CBOs focusing on participation on natural resources management 2.To promote and develop sustainable agriculture system aiming to reduce and eventually cease the application of chemical substance Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Launching campaigns through mass media every three months 2.Organizing training, seminar, open forum on sustainable agriculture and monitoring land and water quality 3.Launching integrated farming system among selected members Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.Temples in the 2 tambols 2.Tambol Administrative Organizations 3.District Office of Agriculture and Tambol Centre for Technology Transfer Anticipated results of project: 1.The chemical residue will be reduced through the length of 20 km. of the river. 2.At least 100 families reduce, suspend and cease the chemical substance 3.There emerge at least 2 local trainers and model farmers. 4.There emerges a group of chemical-free food consumers comprising at least 50 members. 5. Wider publics are kept informed as to the campaigns at regular basis.

Thailand