In the past (before 1957), the environment around the Phong River was good, teeming with water species and dense forest area on both sides. Settlers in the areas had prompted the degradation of the environment.

After 1957, numbers of settlers was increasing. The forest areas on both sides were substantially denuded and turned into paddy fields and other cash crops to satisfy the demand of the industrial sector. The majority of land were titled by villagers, land speculators and factory owner. Nevertheless, there are public land remained as graveyards, grassland for cattle and degraded forest. In 1978 ,large scale industry was introduced i.e. sugar mills ,paper pulp and whisky factory. These factories drain untreated waste water into the river. In 1992-1993, the river was so polluted that it became a national issue.

At present, there is no agency to systematically oversee, develop and rehabilitate the environment of the river. The river is gradually prone to be further degraded.

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While the government cannot effectively enforce the measures, the villagers lack data & information from the government. CBOs are becoming weaker as they are common villagers and at the same time have to struggle to sustain their daily living.

Key leaders of the Southern Phong River Conservation Group discussed and initiated the project ? Conservation and Rehabilitation of Environment of Phong River? with which focal problems to deal are
1. Problem arising from drainage from factories
2. Problem arising from community waste disposal
3. Problem arising from chemical application in agricultural practice on both sides of the river

The project believes that by developing and building capacity of CBOs and family units in conjunction with creating appropriate community careers, the 3 problems can be coped with effectively.

Project goals or objectives (including GEF problem-area addressed by projects):

1. To raise awareness of communities on the conservation and rehabilitation of the Phong River in consistent with the development of quality of life
2. To build the capacity of CBOs so that they are capable of taking leading roles in managing community problems in all aspects
3. To demonstrate the environmentally-friendly agricultural practice for further development at community and wider scale

Activities to be carried out under project:

1. To convene seminars for
- 31 persons from Tambol Administrative Organization
- 109 volunteers from Village Health Unit
- 60 villagers
This activity aims to brainstorm, disseminate of information at all levels and make known the concept and criteria of the project.
2. To launch a study tour for sharing of experience with CBOs in the Northeastern region
This activity is for selected 60 persons from communities.
3. To launch the activity for ?Environment Day? in order to raise awareness and secure community participation from 10 communities totalling 1,344 families
4. To select cultivated area then grow indigenous trees by using the pattern and practice developed by the project

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

The direct participant and beneficiaries are population of 10 communities settling on both side of the southern part of the Phong River.

Anticipated results of project:

1. Community leaders acquire knowledge and information on environment situation at all levels ,especially the immediate environment of their locality. These leaders are cooperative to initiate systems for solving environmental problems.
2. Local population are instilled with conservation awareness and participate in the conservation process.
3. There emerges Phong River Conservation Fund as a result of selling community waste and community participation.
4. There emerges 2,000 longan trees and other native species of 3,125 trees.

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