I. The project was visited on January 8 , 2006, after which the report from NC came out as follows.

1.BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT / PURPOSE OF VISIT

The project proposed to contribute to conserving biodiversity in the Indo-Chinese sub-region of the biogeography , and planning its sustainable use, through empowering target population and other stakeholders, and demonstrating local traditional approaches on conservation and rehabilitation. The project was awarded Baht: 581,500 : (~ $ 14,872 ) . Having fared for about half-way of its two-year duration, the visit aimed to witness overall progress of activities and interact with community members.

2.FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

Mountainous forest area of about 1,120 ha was the project focus location. Two villages including Baan (village) Huayhang with 200 plus families were concerned with it. Situated in the vicinity of Doi Pha Muang Wildlife Sanctuary and within the Sri Lanna-Khun Tarn Complex , the area had been degraded during a few decades back. But it was confirmed that , current 240 ha of the forest was strictly protected , 400 ha for community to use under community regulations. The remaining area would be classified as a biodiversity area with importance to agricultural ecosystems ,i.e. cultivated area.

It was found that proposed activities were in implemented as planned. In additional to the progress brief, the NC spent about one-and-a-half hour strolling the established Nature Study Trail, where 12 outstanding stations were established to display data and information on various endemic threatened species. Even though, the data & information was not posted yet, community members were able to verbalize relevant data and information. Almost exclusively, the data and information were related to traditional or legendary belief of communities.

Traditional water management in a form of watershed weirs (check dam) seemed to produce its effects. There were 60 weirs throughout the project area slowing down soil erosion rate , maintaining water flow rate , thus retaining humidity. It was said that various animal and plant species were seen coming back in abundance.

Through participating and mentoring role of the Raksthai Foundation Lamphoon Office for about four years, target population exhibited increased capacity in term of both technicality and institution. Therefore, strong baseline looked apparent.

The participation and capacity of target population were fairly outstanding. With two primary target villages in action, it would be very interesting to learn the approaches for including or networking with 35 other village sharing the same ecosystems.

3. RECORDS OF NON-GEF CONTRIBUTION
- Half - day of transportation from Rak thai Foundation and personnel = Baht: 2,500
- Two-day lodging & meals and pre-existing facility = Baht: 3,000

Report prepared by: Poonsin Sreesangkom Date: 9 December 2006

II.The project participated in the mid-course evaluation workshop of Thailand-Year-6 GEF/SGP , organized on 25-27 January 2006 . It was one of 27 projects sending project leaders or representatives to report to the workshop on progress of activities, immediate outputs/results that could be witnessed or observed, problems / issues and solution.

With only a few exception, majority of projects concisely reported progress and summarized immediate outputs and results. The report format included from power point to photos to dissemination materials, and to verbal presentation. There was one project bringing product of chemical-free vegetable for sale and show at the venue.

All presentations mentioned about problems and issues, with varying degree, but they had been corrected or rectified. Or at least, the project possessed idea or approach to do so. However, there were a few projects that presented problems and hot issues on environment soliciting further discussion and advice from participants.

On the final day, participants spent half-an-hour sharing idea on forging future networking of the year-6 projects and submitted approach for sustainability. Majority of participants agreed to be tied by natural network, without any regulation or commitment, but hearts and minds. There were two members pledging their times and skill to help others according to their availability.

As a reminder and incentives to ensure most effective implementation of remaining activities, the NC proposed the idea of strategic project where successful SGP projects could gather together so that community actions affecting global benefits would be clearer.

The workshop had seen substantial sharing of experience, especially on related issues of project activities. Somehow, it was felt that the remaining activities would be carried out to their completion. Another evidence, a natural network of environment was formed with a lot of participants winning one another hearts.

III. The progress report was received on 1 August 2006 by E-mail , with following details:

Activities carried out :

1. Conducting capacity building activities:
People forum, resources inventories,
Formulation of plans, alternative use
2. Launching rehabilitation activities: local weirs, fire-breaks, forest surveillance , plantation
3. Participating in seminars with two environment networks and the department of environment quality promotion
4. Establishing a nature study trail with 12 stations
5. Formulating local curriculum on sustainable use of biodiversity
6. Launching youth camps, women?s group seminars and provincial-level seminar

Results and indicators:

1. Acquired data & information on forest area and biological diversity to be used for strategic planning
2. Emergence of 12 boards as sources and reference for nature study
3. Acquired for strategic planning data of plants of medicinal value in community forest as well as their uses
4. More edible species growing in forest and 12 local weirs to retain land humidity and biological diversity
5. Community members being able to learn more about related public policies, CBD
6. Community members demonstrating increased capacity by retraining other members
7. Acquired models for participatory management of natural resources and environment - being presented to various organizations at provincial/national forum

IV. The completion report was received on December 1, 2007 with following details:

Activities carried out :

1. Conducting capacity building activities: People forum, resources inventories, Formulation of plans and alternative use
2. Launching rehabilitation activities: local weirs, fire-breaks, forest surveillance , plantation
3. Participating in seminars with two environment networks and the department of environment quality promotion
4.Establishing a nature study trail with 12 stations
5. Formulating local curriculum on sustainable use of biodiversity
6. Launching youth camps, women?s group seminars and provincial-level seminar

Results:
1. Acquired data & information on forest area and biological diversity to be used for strategic planning
2. Four major stakeholders gaining insight about the project and each planning its participating role
3.Emergence of 12 boards as sources and reference for nature study
4. Acquired for strategic planning data of plants of medicinal value in community forest as well as their uses
5.Additional edible species (2,500 trees) thriving in community forest area and other native species (3,000 trees) in conservation area with adequate humidity to maintain biological diversity
6. Community members being able to learn more about related public policies
7. Community members demonstrating increased capacity witnessed through successful retraining and effectively communicating with other members and communities, with three members being elected members of Li Basin Committee
8. Acquired models for participatory management of natural resources and environment - being presented to various organizations at provincial/national forum

Project communication:

1. Some project activities was aired on the Channel 11 TV as a part of a documentary on rehabilitation of the Ping River.
2. The Bangkok Post visited the project location and publicized the column ?The Green Space? .
3. The Daily News visited the project location and publicized the column ? Baan Huayhang Community Forest and Sustainable Conservation Awareness?
4. The project was visited by members of Rakthai Foundation, a Japanese NGO, and other members from local government units.

Participatory Evaluation: Conducted monthly by combining with monthly village meeting
Participants: Project members, community leaders and relevant local government units in the area
Methods: Meetings:

1. To share and discuss efficiency of implementation including problems & issues and suggestedsolution
2. To evaluate ?change? in biological diversity in project location by village committee and women?s group
3. To evaluate ?change? in biological diversity in project location by youth groups with digital camera

Impact: The results of activities by village committee and women?s group were well recognized by outside public organizations ,leading to more community members participating in the project. In addition, several surrounding communities paid attention to learn from the project then applied to their locations.

Future Plan: Together with two other SGP projects (THA-04-02 and THA-04-03), the project played leading role in establishing the Local Care Network in Thung Hua Chang District perusing community development and environment conservation activities. Currently, two main activities launched were (1) Community Forest Management Fund and Sustainable Agriculture at tambol level and (2) Production of bio-fuel starting from planting Jetropha in the fields to processing them into usable fuel for agricultural machine.