Ao Chau is a natural fresh water lake situated in Ha Hoa District, Phu Tho Province. It contains high biological and landscape value. The lake is the home of 49 fish species of high economic value. The capacity of about 15 million cubic meters of the lake significantly supports the socio-economic development of the district.

However, the lake faces the problem of water pollution due to the solid and liquid waste of the community households and animal husbandry activities, and the uncontrolled use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers in agricultural production. Biological resources of the lake have been threatened by the water pollution and the overexploitation of the lake resources with destructive measures. Deforestation in the area has also caused the problem of siltation in the lake. The community has encroached and developed part of the lake into fishing ponds in recent years.

The project will be carried out in the three communes situated around the lake. It aims to develop a community model to protect the biodiversity and promote the sustainable use of a natural lake's biological resources. The project will develop and implement the zoning and management plan for the sustainable management of the lake. An integrated management plan of water and land aiming to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the area will be developed. A community-managed model to treat household waste and to regreen barren land will be developed to address the issues of siltation and water pollution. Simple technology in treating solid and liquid waste, and developing the model VACR (garden, pond, cage and forest) will be transferred to the community. The project will give priority to awareness raising and education activities among the local authorities, relevant agencies, community especially the school children and the youth.