I. On November 9, 2004, the NC and a project leader of another year-5 project (THA-03-11) paid a visit to the project. The findings and observation can be summarized as follows:

Situated amid and on top of the watershed Phu Yar U, Wat Na Luang has for two decades been playing the crucial role in reversing the degradation. The area is a forest reserve three ha of which were officially allotted for the temple to practice Buddhism , reverse encroachment and protect the forest area of about 4,000 ha. The temple is equipped with training facilities and environment training course to offer for outsiders. Its popularity for religious practice has drawn participation and contribution from lay people from both locality and faraway.

However, surrounding area is still found under ecological threat. Several communities, mostly poor and migrating , are heavily practicing cash crops such as sugarcane, tapioca and corn. Planting trees of high economic (but of low ecological value) is also on the agenda. Owing to the limitation of terrain ,rice which is the staple is not grown. Therefore, cash crops and the trees become a source of income to buy rice and cover other day-to-day expense.

To reverse the degradation trends and identify career option, the temple has been working closely with and providing support for these communities. Under GEF/SGP support, additional degraded area of about 100 ha would be rehabilitated with selected native species for self-sufficient economy.

In addition to the threat from cash crop expansion, a substantial migration and settlement of non-native (non-northeasterners) groups has been witnessed, not very far from the project area, imposing another kind of threat.

Interacting with some members from one of the six participating villages, it was sensed that the project activities were just fit for them , even though it would take a few years to enjoy the fruitfulness. The nursery was established and functioning.

II. The progress report was received on March 25 , 2005 , with following details:

Activities undertaken:

1. Confirming project activities, strategy etc, with target community members and other
major stakeholders
2. Building nursery and preparing the 80-ha area for re-plantation
3. Planning re-plantation zones for watershed rehabilitation

Result:
1. Evinced increased understanding of project members and other stakeholders
2. The nursery being capable to distribute for propagation of seedlings for community
consumption and sales, in case of surplus yield
3. Emergence of tree species propagation mapping

III. The completion report was received on 27 June 2006 , in a formatted write-up and two diskettes.The details are as follows:

Activities carried out under project:

1. Building capacity of target community members through technical training
2. Building nursery and preparing the 80-ha area for re-plantation
3. Re-planting native species for consumption as well as income generation

Results:

1. Emergence of a centre for keeping saplings of various native species and being used as a
learning centre
2. Community members of 836 persons coordinating in conservation of natural resources by
replanting 90 ha which was classified into 32 ha of forest land and 58 ha of cultivated land
3. Emergence of fire-break area of at least 80 ha and forest surveillance
4. Estimated saving expense on food(vegetable for consumption) among 500 families
at Baht: 200( $5)/month/families ; on chemicals @ Bath: 1,000 ($25) / year/family


Dissemination / Public Relation of Project:

Throughout the project period, 1. Stressing communication amongst community leaders
2. Posting boards on community regulations on forest use
3. Monthly dissemination through a sermon every second
Saturday
Participatory Evaluation: Periodically conducted throughout the project life
Participants: Representatives from the temples, targeted villages and community schools - 49
in number
Methods: 1. Organized meetings among the representatives where progress of
activities ,results and problems and issues were put forwarded for discussion and
comment
2. Randomly visiting and checking the activities
Impact: At the end of the project, target communities demonstrated raised conservation
awareness and began to examine their own pattern of livelihood in relation to the
consumption of forest resources. The examination elicited both negative and positive
pictures which reflected positive community response to the projects -leading to
continued activities

Future Plan: Since the project set the goal for a longer term and focused on participation from
communities, temple (religious institute) and school (community educational institute),
the evaluation within GEF SGP timeframe would not give out clear results. Therefore,
the project planned to launched the checking of richness of the forest area every five
years , both biologically and physically, such as quantity of minerals or other matters
imperative to plant growth, soil humidity, acidity ?alkalinity and biomarker.

Nevertheless, the project would encourage the TAO to set aside budget for
conservation and rehabilitation of the project area in a sustainable way.