Environmental policy and administrative management

Once rich in natural resources,watershed area of the Nan River at Ban (village) Kiu Muang has been,for generations, playing life-supporting role ,especially in term of self-sufficient agriculture. After five decades of modernization, the area has been degraded through unavoidable deforestation chemical substance application and introduction of machinery. There seems to be no regulations to decelerate these land-degrading activities. Together with community members, the Hug Muang Nan Foundation had developed a project to rehabilitate the degraded land by promoting sustainable land use reducing imminent threats upon the watershed and its ecosystems. Integrated farming with minimal chemical substance, alternative environmentally-friendly occupation, and promoting community participation in management of natural resources and local environment are all important activities contributing to the rehabilitation process. Project participants and/or beneficiaries: 1.The Santisuk District Office of Primary Education provides pre-existing facilities for the project to use. A premises of the office is being used for training and data & information centre for community forest network of Nan Province. 2.American Peace Corps supports personnel to work with community members. 3.NEF together with Non-formal Education Centre of Nan give financial support to build community library 4.The Hug Muang Nan Foundation support activities of open forums for formulation of rehabilitation plan Activities to be carried out under project: 1.Conducting open forum to analyze problems and issues for the formulation of community plan 2.Supporting fire-break demarcation 3.Conducting study tours on highland cultivation 4.Conducting highland integrated farming and processing of forest product 5.Conducting geographical and community-based survey 6.Summarizing lessons learnt on community forest management Anticipated Results/Immediate Output of Projects: 1.Clear strategy for the formulation of rehabilitation & conservation plan 2.Reduced frequency of wild-fire and emergence of volunteer group 3.Members learning and practicing highland cultivation 4.Increased per capita income per year based on the current figure of Baht: 9,000:/ 5.Wider public being reached out and aware of current environment situation 6.Mobilized resources from service rendered by the centre 7.Emergence of natural learning network and community, regional and national level

Thailand