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.

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.

II. The progress report was received on March 6, 2006 and summarized as follows:

Activities carried out :

1.Organizaing open forums , workshops and seminars aiming to attain right and holistic approach
2. Conducting resources inventories process

Results

1.Increased capacity of 184 community members as witnessed through the emergence of conservation groups with conservation regulation in Tambol Umjarn, Tambol Chaelae and Tambol Chiangware
2. Recorded of known species in the wetland being known and assessed about 50 %

III. On April 1 , 2006, the NC and two members of NSC visited the project. The findings and observation are as follows:

Four-hr boat trips with 10 project members found the relative richness of biodiversity in the swamp and sensed existing/increased environment capacity of project members. Directly, this ecosystems has been playing life-supporting roles to more than surrounding 30 villages. The swamp is the only main source of fishes and vegetable for daily consumption and water for irrigation. Indirectly, the two ecological outputs in term of food are being transferred to hundreds of families located just beyond the swamp and within the area of five districts of Udornthani Province.

By an official record, Nong Harn is the most important gathering site of winter migratory bird species from China, Europe and Middle East in the northeastern region of Thailand, with at least 74 species. As to fishes, at least 39 fish species have been recorded including the threatened Siamese fighting fish and vulnerable walking catfish. The boat trip has spotted hundreds of several bird species and come across several fishing boats and fishing gears in place.

According to project members , there were conservation practices and regulations to regulate the use of the swamp, but violations in term of bird hunting and destructive fishing were not unusual. Besides, the provincial strategy to promote tourism is currently threatening both the ecosystems of Nong Harn and the cooperation of target communities. It was apparent that community needed increased capacity and strong network to cope with the development trends.

In term of progress, the grantee reasoned out a slight delay to project personnel issue and emerging discord among the many target villages. The tolerance was estimated falling within acceptable limit, and the grantee vowed to proceed with the remaining activities so that the project would see its completion in this coming July. As to the community discord, the visiting team strongly advised that target communities launching discussion to come up with a resolution. In addition, baseline data and information should be updated for reference and comparison after the completion of conservation activities.

III. The completion report was received on Jul 23, 2007 , with following details:

Activities carried out :

1. Conducting community and resources inventories of target location ( 39 villages , over 1,000 households in total)
2. Launching participatory community activities: annual traditional activities, reforestation, management of environment in community schools, and building conservation networks of communities around Nong Harn Basin

Results and Indicators:

1. Compiled knowledge of 70 pages explaining the ecosystems/ biological diversity ( fresh water species, bird species and plant species, livelihood activities, impacts of public development schemes and conservation regulations
2. Three networks at Tambol level ( 205 committee members) initiating an outreach to cover three more Tambols

Participatory evaluation:

During the project life, four participatory evaluation were conducted where 40-50 persons from network organizations, committee members of the grantee, representatives from concerned government agencies.