Environmental research

Project is aiming to reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity to climate change, including drought, in 7 villages of Chantrea district Svay Rieng, by building the capacity of communities to manage available water resources and irrigation systems for agricultural production, conservation of natural ecosystems and strengthen communities. According to the community, and supported by research conducted using a VRA, water is the main priority need for people and animals in the target areas, which due to climate change seems to be coming in smaller quantities each year as drought increases. The project will construct a water dam wall with overflow at Bathou Lake in place of the faulty Watergate and set up 2 Water Use Committees to be trained to be key resources on climate change information, to manage the use of the water dam and community reservoirs, how to raise any future infrastructure problems to the local authorities and to find a solution together. The project will plant trees in target family homes and villages to enhance the biodiversity of the ecosystems surrounding the community, making them more resilient to the effects of climate change. At the same, the project will help to improve the health of the lake and reservoirs by increasing fish stocks, which will also provide more reliable food source for local people. The project will build the communities capacity in sustainable vegetable growing and integrated farming techniques by providing training with the PDOAFF. This will help to increase family s incomes by increasing the yield and diversify crops, and also have less of an impact on the surrounding environment enabling it to cope better with the increased pressures of climate change. They will also receive coaching on growing sustainable home gardens and fish rising. The project will then also identify existing or set up new Self Help Groups (SHG) who will set up a Seed Bank and be able to identify markets for selling local produce and work together to sell the produce as a community group, helping them to get a better prices. Project goal: To reduce vulnerability and increase adaptive capacity to climate change, including drought, in 7 villages of Chantrea district Svay Rieng, by building the capacity of communities to manage available water resources and irrigation systems for agricultural production, conservation of natural ecosystems and strengthen communities. Project objectives: 1)Reduce drought vulnerability by working with CC`s and development partners to reconstruct the current Watergate into a dam at Bathou Lake and manage existing irrigation systems to adapt with recent climate change impacts, resulting in increasing rice yield by 20-40% in the first year. 2) To build the adaptive capacity of communities, CBOs, NGOs and CC s on climate change issues by getting them involved in activities (individual and community) such as tree planting , water use management and diversify crops/integrated farming. Expected outcomes and outputs: Outcome 1.1: Communities have enough access to water for farming and be able to increase their rice yield by 20-40% in the first year after dam construction. Output: 1.1.1: Finished construction of a high quality, functional dam wall with overflow at Bathou Lake. Activities 1.1.1.1: Dam wall and overflow technical visit 1.1.1.2: Conduct meeting with community and CC to reconfirm their participation and contribution 1.1.1.3: Dam wall with overflow construction company selection/ procurement process 1.1.1.4: Construction of dam wall with overflow 1.1.1.5: Follow up selected construction company to ensure the project is quality, functional, on time & budget Outcome 1.2: Two committees are organized and are able to manage existing irrigation systems and natural lakes sustainably for agricultural production and communities welfare. Output: 1.2.1: WUC s have been organized to manage water dam overflow and existing irrigation systems Activities 1.2.1.1: Conduct village meetings to introduce the idea and preselect the WUC`s, with specific selection criteria, including ensuring women participate and are represented on the committees 1.2.1.2: Conduct villages meeting to select WUC`s 1.2.1.3: Working with WUC to draft Internal Rules and Regulations including reservoir management. 1.2.1.4: Conduct consultation meeting with target villages on the draft Internal Rules and Regulations 1.2.1.5: Working with WUC to finalize the draft Internal Rules and Regulations 1.2.1.6: Provide follow up support to WUC`s to get official recognition from MORAM. Output: 1.2.2: WUC members have full capacity to manage water dam overflow and existing irrigation systems. Activities 1.2.2.1: Conduct Training Need Assessment of the WUC members 1.2.2.2: Provide training to WUC members based on TNA 1.2.2.3: Conduct village meetings to disseminate about WUC Internal Rules and Regulation. 1.2.2.4: Provide follow up support to WUC to conduct monthly/bi-monthly meeting 2.2.2.5: Training members of the WUC to continue ongoing maintenance and management of Water dam overflow and the community reservoirs. Outcome 2.1: Communities have access to year round safe drinking and washing water Output: 2.1.1: 2 community reservoirs have received rehabilitated Activities 2.1.1.1: Meeting to identify most needy reservoir for rehabilitation that benefit to more community members. 2.1.1.2: Selection of company to rehabilitation of selected reservoirs 2.1.1.3: 2 reservoirs have rehabilitated 2.1.1.4:

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