Its name bestowed by King Rama VI, the Tapi River is one of the major river in Thailand. With its life-supporting function and international significance,the River, 232 km. in length,drains in to International Water no.54-the Gulf Of Thailand/South China Sea. Throughout history the river and its ecosystem have been providing water for agriculture and fishes for consumption for communities residing in the vicinity.

Especially owing to the modern mode of consumption and the advanced production technology, the quantity of household waste is ever-increasing but environmentally-friendly disposition becomes more difficult. So far, there has been no systematic disposal of the waste in these communities.

Realizing the predominant threat, the centre together with NGOs/CBOs , academics, and community schools has initiated the project to reduce the pollution in the Tapi River through building capacity of target population and demonstrating environmentally-friendly agricultural practice and re-use/recycle process.

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

1.To instill conservation awareness in youth and community members
2.To reduce pollution in the Tapi River and rehabilitate the scenery of the river

Activities to be carried out under project:

1.Surveying consuming behavior and quantity of waste in target area
2.Launching capacity-building activities for
-Community Waste , Issues and Approach
-establishing recycle banks in the schools
-Curriculum on Waste Disposal System
3.Launching awareness-raising campaigns:
-Twice public collection of waste from urban communities (Thord Pha Pa Kha Ya )
-Door-to-door monthly campaigns
4.Launching activities in schools: compost production, toxic-free horticulture, sales of superfluous materials
5. Launching dissemination: exhibition, video , poster and leaflets


Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

Office of the Environment Region 11 Surathani , District Community Development Offices, District Agricultural Offices , Tambol Administrative Organization , and Surathai Youth for Development

Anticipated results of project:

1. Emergence of the followings:
Two recycle banks , One curriculum on waste disposal, one complete set of dissemination & campaign materials , toxic-free vegetable plots , one Reuse & Recycle Group and two academic institutes as models for appropriate waste disposal
2. At least 10 volunteers are highly skilled and able to reapply skill and knowledge to other schools and community members