Project Detail

Participatory Management of Ecosystems of Bong Basin

Formerly endowed with natural resources, the project location now becomes an expanse of mono-crops, especially sugar cane , paddy and other short-term vegetables. As a rule, farmers struggle to increase or maintain the yield by application of chemical substances. This has become ,if not a tradition, a normal, uncontrollable practice. In addition, natural forest has been under threat by land encroachment. The effects of these practices have resulted in degradation of both land and water ecosystem ? a national-regional and eventually global phenomenon. Without a sound management
plan for natural resources and ecosystems, the whole area would become a degraded land within a foreseeable future. In order to pave the way to the sound management plan, building capacity of youth and community members in a participatory way must be carried out urgently by basing on social and cultural system of target communities which would accrue and have its consequence upon global environment. Besides, the practices can be replicated in other communities in the region.

Target communities comprising community members, women?s group, youth groups and members of TAOs? collectively realized the threats. They are ready to share experience, formulate strategic direction and steps for efficient capacity building and demonstration of appropriate agricultural practice.

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1.About 200 youth members and 12 pilot farming families are primary beneficiaries with the remaining around 1,000 household as secondary beneficiaries.
2.Other agencies as direct contributors to the project:
- Khao Noi Tambol Administrative Organization
- All schools in Phu Wiang Fundamental Education Office
- Phu Wiang National Park
- Bong Watershed Conservation Unit

Activities to be carried out under project:

1.Launching camping , seminars, study-tours and training
2.Putting into practices what have been learnt
3.Planting trees of native species
4.Producing dissemination materials to other communities (24 villages)

Anticipated results/Immediate Outputs of project:

1.About 100 youth leaders, 60 staff members, 20 members of TAOs? , and 20 volunteers (total 200) gaining insight on the integrated management of ecosystems
2.Emergence of the followings:
-2,000 more trees in target area
-community environment conservation groups
-community and resources inventories
-500 books on environment conservation of Tambol Khao Noi
-At least 12 demonstration plots of environmentally-friendly sugar-cane plantation

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Phu Wiang Youths and Disables Development Association

Country:

Thailand

Area Of Work:

Multifocal Area

Operational Phase:

Phase 2

Grant Amount:

US$ 11,597.87

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 759.68

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 19,245.23

Project Number:

THA/03/23

Start Date:

1/2004

End Date:

1/2005

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

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Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

Mo specific focus on women's role but activities for youth groups is fairly outstanding.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Public awareness of local and global environmen is one of the goals.

Notable Community Participation

The grantee is a local entity and familiar with community members.Participation from communities is seen as adequate.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project is trying to address a long mal-practice of agriculture which is main occupation of target population.

Capacity - Building Component

There are more capacity -building component than demonstration.

Project Results

I.The progress report was received on 19 October 2004 , with following details:

Activities carried out :

Launching camping , seminars, study-tours and training for 100 youth leaders, 60 community leaders, 20 community school teachers and 20 volunteers

Results:

1.The target population demonstrated increased capacity and induced 1,180 families in target area
2. Emergence of conservation groups in the target area.
3. Scaling-up to two other tambols.

Project communication.

The project was aired through the Community Radio FM. 92.50 MHz of Tambol Khao Noi , Phu Wiang District at weekends.

II. On May 13, 2005 , the Thailand NC, Cambodia NC , and one member of NSC paid a visit to the project. The findings and observation were as follows:

At the office of the grantee, the visiting team was met and briefed by the project leaders and a group of students. The briefing includes capacity-building activities of target group, demonstration of water quality monitoring and close interaction between students and community members of three tambols.

The premises of one prominent farmer in the location was visited. The farmer, who divided more of his cultivated land for sugar cane and less for paddy, demonstrated eagerness to use organic fertilizer on the land. One thousand bags of the organic fertilizer, 20 kg. each, was said to be the target of production this year. It was also referred that the farmer would be an example for secondary target group in the three tambols.

One immediate impact of project was witnessed through the intervention of The Thailand Research Fund. The fund had gave a small amount of fund for project students to try producing charcoal from branches and twigs of trees. The by-product of the process was a well-known ?wood vinegar? or pyroligneous acid which is realized as a very useful agent in agricultural practice.

It should be noted that there are several sugar mills in Khon Kaen Province. While the price of sugar cane is guaranteed by the government, the price of paddy is always fluctuating. Farmers are apt to pay more attention to sugar cane and less to paddy. As an average in project area, paddy is grown for consumption only.

Since the project has been faring for only half-way, more results and product are still to be
witnessed. In addition, due to time constraint, the visiting team did not meet and listen to
members of the TAO who had shown interest and cooperation during project formation
in late 2003.

III. The completion report was received on 24 July 2006 , a bound book of 10 page and 24 photos with following details:

Activities carried out under project:
1. Launching camping , seminars, study-tours and training
2. Putting into practices what have been learnt
3. Planting trees of native species
4. Producing dissemination materials to other communities (24 villages)

Results of project:

1. Emergence of the followings:
-12,000 more trees in target area
-community environment conservation groups
-300 books on environment conservation
- 12 demonstration plots of environmentally-friendly sugar-cane plantation which in turn influence
100 others
-Organic ?farming group of 40 families in tambol Khao Noi
2. Produced 500 kg. of charcoal and 40 litres of wood vinegar from high-efficiency charcoal burner.

Participatory Evaluation: Conducted periodically but the final on 18 May 2009, at the public
relation office of Phuwiang Phitthayakhom School, Khonkaen Province
Participants: 63 persons comprising project members, school staff, representatives from TAOs? ,
youth group and representatives from concerned government
agencies.
Methods: Exhibition of project activities & result followed by presenting reports then opened for
questions/answer and sharing experience.
Impact: 1.The pilot families and student group had influenced over 1,000 families who
demonstrated increased capacity and awareness on natural resources and
environment management. They initiated to practice organic farming.
2. The office of Phu Wiang National Park witnessed the project activities and invited
project leaders to be a trainer in its capacity building project.

Future Plan: Together with five other GEF SGP project in the Chee River Basin, the project planned
to upscale the project to cover more area and population for clearer impact

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