Conservation and Development of Ecosystems of Jan River (THA/06/01)

Project Details & Results

Target Population/Location of project:
3,876 people from 454 families, the majority of whom depend upon small-scale agriculture alongside the Jan River – an integrated ecosystem of the Mekhong River Basin. The project aims to tackle threats to basin biodiversity posed by deforestation and chemical-intensive agriculture.

Planned activities:
1. Conduct water quality monitoring activities, and compile resources inventories
2. Launch re-vegetation activities with native and medicinal plant species
3. Promote chemical-free, highland agriculture
4. Demonstrate production of biogas from kitchen waste

Anticipated outputs:
1. Local knowledge curriculum re: biodiversity conservation compiled
2. Project members display increased conservation ethic, and capacity to act on it
3. Agriculture production systems undergo positive adaptation
4. Savings group created

Project Results
I. First progress report (March 20, 2007):
Activities undertaken:
1. Water quality monitoring carried out; local resource inventories compiled
2. Capacity-building activities conducted re: chemical-free agriculture
3. Project area re-vegetated with native and medicinal plant species
4. Chemical-free, highland agriculture promoted
5. Production of biogas from kitchen waste demonstrated

Results of activities:
1. Project groups experience increased membership (5-20% increase)
2. Project members experience increased savings of 25%
3. 80 retaining weirs constructed, thereby reducing risk of flash flood

Experience and lessons learned:
The project identified three problematic issues:
1. Participation insufficient from some community groups
2. National political change on 19-9-06 affected activities of several major stakeholders
3. First disbursement delayed

II. Together with 11 other projects of the same class, the project attended midcourse evaluation on March 19-21, 2008.