Nan Province, situated in northern region of Thailand, is a mountainous area. The area fit for cultivation is less than 20 % , even though the majority of population earn their living by agricultural practice. There are about 10 groups such as Hmong, Mien, Thin, Lua, Lue, Laos, mainstream Thai, and etc. whose cultural and livelihood are based on agriculture and natural resources.

Under current global development pattern stressing on materialism, natural resources and community livelihood have been adversely affected to a great extend. Unable to maintain their self-sufficient production and lifestyle, communities, by-and-large, have been compelled to follow and adopt prevalent modern approach which usually brings about endless economic and social problems.
One significant community conformity is to change agricultural production approach from self-
reliant scale to commercialized one. The change makes dependence upon external resources such as chemical substance and modern equipment unavoidable thus prompts the increase of production cost. In addition, more cultivated area is needed to produce more for ever-increasing consumption prompting unsuitable land use and unregulated chemical substances.

Realizing the threat, the centre has initiated the project to build capacity of community organizations aiming to address the issues in a participatory and sustainable way. In addressing the issues, the project will depends mainly upon what has been available locally, both in term of resources and knowledge, and upon harmonious living with nature.

Since the project is situated in the Indo-Chinese sub region of the bio-unit, the target location represents an integrated part of forest ecosystems and fresh water ecosystems. Therefore, rehabilitation of this ecosystems would contribute to the quality of the bio-unit in the sub region.

Project participants and/or beneficiaries:

1. The community members of the four villages are direct beneficiaries.
2. Santisuk District Agriculture Office
3. Tambol Administrative Organizations
4. Santisuk Public Health Volunteer Club
5. Hug Muang Nan Foundation

Activities to be carried out under project:

1. Building capacity of target population through training, seminars, experience-sharing on native seed collection , production of organic compost and watershed protection
2. Rehabilitating mountain slopes through incorporation of terracing and water management
3. Conducting open forum, seminars and training on dying skill, formulation of plan for revising local wisdom
4. Launching northern and religious rites
5. Building solar dryer for processing herb
6. Sharing knowledge on and compiling list of traditional medicine

Anticipated Results of Projects:

1. At least 200 community members gaining experience and being able to put into practice
2. Emergence of one seed bank
3. Approximately 32 ha of forest and agro-biodiversity being rehabilitated and maintained
4. 60 community members capable of retraining on dying skill and putting into practice
5. Emergence of a learning network in communities
6. Compiled lists and curriculum for dissemination in local schools