I. The progress report was received on on November 24 , 2004, with photos and about 30 pages of related document/articles.Details are as follows:

Activities carried out:

1. Monthly meeting with youth groups to make understood the ecosystems and conservation
2. Garbage management by requesting additional support and facility from the TAO and involving youth group
3. Conducting training on ?eco-tourism by community?
4. Taking study trip to successful community
5. Establishing the Committee for managing eco-tourism
6. Initiating the formulation of eco-tourism management plan
7. Establishing a village fund to support the solution process for local environment

Results:

1. Awaiting approval from the TAO
2. Students from Baan Thalenok demonstrating increased capacity in local ecosystems and conservation of natural resources.
3. Emergence of 18-member leader group
4. The draft version of the management plan being in use on a trial basis
5.Emergence of 10-member committee under the name ? Eco-tourism Club by Baan Thalenok Community?
6. On a trial basis, two eco-tourism lots was opened. Some related income was set aside for environment activities.

Project communication:

1.Reporters from Escape ,an Australian newspaper, visited the project writing article about the Wild Animal Rescue and Education Centre and the Home Stay. It appeared on 27 June 2004
2. Reporters from Thai Rath, a Giant Thai Daily, visited the project and witnessed activities in Ranong Province

Note:

On December 26, 2004, the project was devastated by the Tsunami. A week later the grantee reported the damage and requested to cease the activities for two months.

II. On January 25, 2005, the NC and one member of NSC visited the project and summarized the findings as follows:

Of about 70 families and Muslim ,the coastal Baan (village)Thale Nork is a fishing community of small scale. The average boat size is about five-metre long. The second occupation is providing part time labour for picking cashew nuts then supplying to nearby factory-five kg. of cashew nuts for Baht: 30. Only a few committed families could make five kg. per day, though.

Baan Thale Nork appeared on mass media as one of the worst hit spots where over 30 houses , one school and one public health station were completely leveled with over 50 human lives perished. Nearly all fishing boats and gears vanished with the Tsunami. Damaged mangrove was estimated at 30 % of the total 50 ha.

Relief programmes from concerned government and other agencies were seen in operation. These included building 20 permanent houses and supplying food ,water and etc., to the victims. However, compensation for fishing boats and fishing nets was still under process, not knowing exactly when and how the compensation would take place. At the time of the visit, it was told that six fishing nets were given by a Thai-German NGO.

Since this community has lost a great deal, average persons were still in mental trauma and apprehensive to go back to the sea. It would probably take about half year for the community to recuperate and gain self-confidence.

The Thai Fund Foundation, in conjunction with the project, would formulate and submit a proposal for short-term relief as well as sustainable rehabilitation programme.

IV. The completion report was received on June 27 , 2007 , with following details;

Activities carried out:

1. Monthly building capacity of target population by providing education on environment conservation and ecosystems
2. Continuing management of garbage on a monthly basis
3. Formulating community natural resources management plan

Results and indicators:

1. Evinced increased capacity and awareness of target population witnessed through demonstrated cooperation and concerns for conservation activities in mangrove area and other wildlife
2. Emergence of 20-member group actively managing eco-tourism
3. Emergence of a rough plan on mangrove management
4. Emergence of the village fund to be used in village environment conservation activities

Participatory evaluation:

Methods: Incorporate in the monthly meetings of the village
Participation: Village members and concerned staff members from the TAO and local government agencies

General Impact:

1. Representatives of community and project personnel were invited to training and study tour on Home Stay at Surathani, Nakhornsithammarat and Phangnga Province during May 3-7 , 2004
2. Surathani University?s Collective Learning Programme invited project personnel and representative from community as resources persons on Home Stay and Local Tourism