Nan province contains many watershed areas for the Nan River which drains into the Gulf of Thailand. It is also the habitation of both hilltribe and lowland people For generations, the two communities have exhibited traditions ,ways of life and management system to deal with water and community forest.

The development strategy of the country, during the past years ,which had focused very little upon the capacity building of communities, has caused the environmental and natural resources degradeation at an alarming rate. While ecosystems are being damaged , the conflicts between local people and government officers in the conservation areas are obvious and frequent. The rate of forest encroachment and migration are ever increasing.

Local communities are also having conflicts with outsiders who unscrupulously exploit the natural resources. Moreover, they have very little knowledge required to manage the natural resources effectively. All these situations have rendered

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the degradation of natural resources and environment.

With the country development strategy vaguely formulated and the significance of community -capacity building overlooked, the degree of problems are most likely to expand and cause the disintegration of communities. Therefore, building the capacity of local communities, especially, in the aspect of natural resources and environment management is of prime important.

Community forests resemble a form of collective use of land, natural water and forest product. They are sources of production and distribution of food for consumption. They have definite areas and are under community regulations. The management of the communities are consistent with social, cultural, economical and political situation.

Activities to be carried out under project:

1. Organizing seminars and workshops for members of the group?s network twice a year
on the following subjects:
- Water body protection
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Community Forest
- Wildfire Fighting for Youth Group
- Rotating fund system management

2. Udertaking study tours on the following subjects:
- Integrated farming
- Community forest
- Community business

3. Organizing religious rites and youth camping to uplift the morale of the communities.
-to plant trees in degraded land areas.
-to produce disseminating materials to facilitate the learning process on environment and
natural resource protection among communities.

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1.The population of the project location are the direct beneficiaries.
2.Other project participants or stakeholders are as follows:
- Raja Mongkhol Institute of Technology, Nan Campus
- Nan Polytechnique College
- The Institute for Local Development, Bangkok
- The Northern Development Foundation
- The Northern Network of NGOs

Anticipated results of project:

1. The CBOs undertaking the conservation works are strengthened and able to manage their work efficiently.There are more leaders of sustainable agriculture groups.
2. The project are replicated at other localities. There are more networks of conservation groups.
3. The environment in Nan Proninve,as a whole, is better protected.There are more continuous cooperations amongs all parties in the locality.
4. CBOs/ Youth Groups/Religious Groups/NGOs in Nan Province are strengthened which results in the sound livelihood and ability to develop their communities by employing indigenous approaches and resources.

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