I. 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.

II. The project was visited by the NC on March 14 , 2006. The observations and findings were as follows:

Apparently, the project area is a severely degraded watershed, even though it sheds water into two major international waters ,i.e. the Mekhong River and the Gulf of Thailand / South China Sea . Patches of deforestation resulting from both old and recent destruction and intrusion of re-generated vegetation were clear to one?s eye in every direction. This is because of a short-sighted public policy in the past and the seemingly unceasing need for quick money from cash crops and for promotion of tourism in the area in the present. One of the new species of mono-cash crop being promoted , according to project leaders, was sugarcane.

Nevertheless, after visiting one community forest ,sharing experience with two community elders, and interacting with a youth group in two participating villages, it was felt that reversal of land degradation thus improvement of life quality were still hopeful. The visitation witnessed ecological understanding and experience of project leaders as well as tokens of accomplishment of their practices. Agro-forestry and its sustainable use practiced by project leaders, regardless small in number, looked promising. By systematical transfer of traditional knowledge on forest ecosystems from old to new generation , in conjunction with encouraging off-classroom ecological studies would lead to initiatives of field action to reverse the degradation among people of present generation.

In term of activity progress, the project was fairly successful in capacity building for youth group in school. At a certain period of time in a month , youth groups spent their time for learning from community elders on special subjects such as kinds and quality of native species as well as agro-forestry. The result of their works were compiled with some assistance from school staff.

Intended to contribute to reverse degradation of land, the project would have to work hard to gain momentum and be seen by majority of population to initiate a compromise leading to a change of hearts. It is of great interest to watch how the project would fare during the final six months and beyond.

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.