I. First progress report (September 1, 2006):
Activities undertaken:
1. Open forums and study tours held re: water species conservation, waste management in tourist spots, production of organic compost, and sustainable agriculture
2. Regulations for sustainable use of water species drafted
3. Educational campaign on chemical-free agriculture launched
4. Organic Compost Fund established

Results of activities:
1. Fish stocks have increased
2. Three centers are established for teaching organic compost production

II. Mid-course evaluation workshop (February 20-22, 2007):
After a brief presentation by the National Coordinator (NC) reiterating the objectives of the GEF SGP, representatives from each project spent 30 minutes explaining project background, activities undertaken, immediate results and challenges. The National Coordinator encouraged candid discussion of problems and problem-solving strategies, and each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session.

Project representatives also spent an afternoon interacting with community members from THA-05-14 (Local Scenes for Environment Protection). Workshop attendants learned about the old ways of life in the central area and how local ecologies had been altered. The final day was allotted to the two remaining project presentations, the National Steering Committee's observations and suggestions, and the National Coordinator's reminder of next steps.

Progress-related observations at Workshop:
--Of 14 projects, 12 were on time regarding activities and submission of reports. All were capable of articulating details of their activities and immediate results, which were deemed promising.
--Several projects secured financial support from other stakeholders.
--Leaders from at least four projects demonstrated increased capacity, both technically and institutionally. (National Steering Committee members expressed special satisfaction with this.)
--Eleven projects used Power Point and audio-visual equipment; the remaining three presented sets of photos.

III. Second progress report (February 26, 2007):
Activities undertaken:
1. Capacity-building activities carried out re: organic compost production and fish breeding
2. Additional study tours held
3. ?No Fishing? campaign extended to cover three tambols
4. Participatory evaluation conducted with local stakeholders

Results of activities:
1. 415 community members are able to produce and effectively use organic compost
2. 110 community members know how to breed fish species
3. Fish stocks have increased 20%
4. Drainage of chemical substances into Bung Khong Long reduced 30%
5. 13-ha fish conservation zone is demarcated, and under constant surveillance

IV.Monitoring visit from NC and a project leader of THA-06-08 nearby (March 4, 2008):
Findings and Observation:
The target location were situated around Bung Khong Long Wetland. Situated from wetland bank up to the land are paddy fields, a row of houses and para-rubber plantation, which were rather prevalent. Target population depends mostly upon the provisions of the wetland for daily food with major income from para-rubber.

An organic compost producing facility in Baan (village) Soke Pho, a result of project?s capacity building activities said to be operational for nearly a year , producing one ton /day of organic compost to distribute to over 300 network members , with surplus amount for sales to non-members. That was not the end, the activities had resulted in the formation of a youth group of 20 members in the village, who later set up another facility aiming to use their free time productively and earn some income required in other productive activities of the group. The two facilities were located about a kilometer apart. The production of organic compost was so successful that the network was one of the two groups in the whole northeastern region that received award from responsible authority at national level.

A plot of paddy field belonging to a member was visited. It was a second crop and applied with project?s compost for during a few months back. The project was quite convinced about in acceptable yield with substantial reduction of expense on chemical fertilizer which was still essential for a short-duration crop, paddy for one. The use proportion of chemical to organic for paddy was said to be 30 to 70.

What were witnessed during the visit implies success of the project to a great extent. It would meet anticipated results in reducing nutrients and production cost , as well as , increased capacity of project members. The only results not fully witnessed was the resources inventories telling a change in numbers and species of fishes in the wetland. Nevertheless, the NC was shown a book compiled by participatory approach. The book was almost completed and would be included in the completion report which was due in the coming April.

It seemed, somehow, the capacity of some network leaders was contributed to smooth operation of activities. Following the practice of 13 back projects (THA-05-01 to 13) , one project leader even proposed to meet ,again for the third time, with other 14 contemporary supported projects (THA-05-14 to 27) for participatory evaluation upon completion, sharing experience and networking. The NC recommended the leader to contacts these project leaders for further action.

V. Completion report ( May 5, 2008):
Date of Participatory Evaluation: 25 March 2008
Number of Beneficiary/ Participating personnel: Woman: 425
Man: 396
Children: 210
Number of person trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours: Woman: 410
Man: 378
Children: 78
Expense:
Total: Baht: 691,650
Amount received from SGP: Baht: 419,468
Amount received from other :
( In cash from Bung Khong Long TAO ): Baht: 12,000
Amount contributed by grantee/community
( time and pre-existing facilities ,in ?kind) Baht: 162,000

Activities undertaken:
1. Through open forum and study tours, building capacity and raising awareness of target population on water species conservation, community waste management in tourist spots, production of organic compost and sustainable agriculture
2. Participatory formulating regulations for sustainable use of water species
3. Launching and promoting learning process on chemical-free agriculture in 22 villages as well as establishing Organic Compost Fund

Results and indicators:
1. Evinced increased capacity of target group by cooperation in keeping records of number and species of fish being taken out of the wetland and in reporting of dwindling species (compiled in a book)
2. Emergence of No Fishing Zones of 500 m by 500 m in each participating village and respective regulations for fishing
3. Reduced amount of chemical fertilizer, weed killer and pesticide by approximately 70 % of the current amount ( Current amount per year are 2,500 bags, 1,100 litres and 780 litres)
4. Farmers in three tambols ( Bung Khong Long, Sok Karm and Baan Tong) applying additionally about 30 % of produced organic fertilizer

Project communication:
Through community radio conveying conservation in target locations

Impact /Experience and lessons learnt:
Population both in target area and in the vicinity appeared to depend more on organic fertilizer. Awareness of adverse effect of chemicals in conjunction with increased price of chemical fertilizer had been attributed to the accomplishment, let alone available of work during off-season. Conservation zone approach was focused and replicated in other communities. At an estimate, fish stock was increased at 10 % annually.

Increased institutional capacity was witnessed through project seminars and meeting, where community members felt free to express thought and idea and cooperate with major stakeholders , such as Tambol Administrative Organization who later contributed cash for making signs of conservation zones.