Project Results
I. First progress report ( July 21, 2010):
Undertaken Activities:
1. Building capacity of target population on renewable energy technology and ecosystems management ( community role seminar, study tours, GIS process workshop, and solar energy camp)
2. Putting into practice the learnt technology and management
Results and indicators:
1. Increased capacity and awareness of target population and other stakeholders ( 50 core leaders included) witnessed by an initiation to establish a working group to draft plans on natural resources and energy management
2. An area of three forest areas with about 1,120 ha being demarcated as community forests thus reducing conflict on land use and promoting community conservation roles
3. Witnessed conserved springs and observed increased humidity and biological diversity as a result of 25 built check dams
4. Ten families being convinced to practice environmentally-friendly agriculture
5. Avoided cost of grid electricity of a community school by THB: 2,000/year, through an installed solar lighting system
Project communication:
During the first 6 months, the project was made more visible and understood by words about background and ideas of the project in seminars and meetings.
Experience , lessons Learnt, problem and issue:
There were two activities regarded as new and complicated but exciting to targeted communities. The first was the workshop of GIS and second the training on generation of electricity by solar energy. Communities did not possess enough background to ensure smooth activities. With assistance and cooperation from related government agencies and a university, the two activities were carried out successfully.
Project expense:
The project reported the expense of THB: 480,000 out of the first disbursement of THB: 488,215.88.
II. Monitoring Visit by NC/NSC ( September 3, 2010):
Findings & Observations:
The interaction with 6 project leaders happened at Baan (village) Nonchart, one of the seven target villages in Namnao District?s Tambol Lakdarn. It is home to about 200 families 90 % of which grow corn and paddy and depend upon the provisions of forests of various sizes around Namnao National Park. According to project leaders, the village was at least 100 years old. In term of daily energy, canned gas and grid electricity were the two options. Due to its location as a buffer zone and degraded forest land, fire-wood was used in a rather meticulous way.
Increased technical capacity and awareness on renewable energy and energy conservation was notable. After project study tour and training, project members began to construct three biogas facilities, where the one of 8 cu.M was witnessed functioning. The facility had been supplying biogas from hog manure to a family of eight members for the past four months, saving about THB: 1,000/month from canned gas. With self confidence, project members would build the 3 remaining facilities within the next few months.
The next output of project activities involved nurseries of native species. According to project leaders the nurseries had produced about 100,000 native seedlings half of which had been planted in community forests and marginal forests while some were waiting to be planted by communities.
One community forest in Baan Nonchart of about 480 ha was visited. Adjacent to Namnao National Park, there seemed to be clear demarcation between the two forest systems. On the community forest, the project had built several humid retaining weirs to slow down land erosion and flash flood. Evident effects of the weirs, however, was not able to be differentiate, as the visit fell within rainy season. The visiting team agreed that the forest had been successfully managed. Besides, project leaders confirmed that the project had contributed to reducing conflict on land use and promoting community conservation roles
The final spot of visit was at a community school in Baan Nonchart. In order to promote the adoption of solar energy, the project and school staff install one solar lighting system which had been used to light the school roads during nighttime and for educational purpose.
Other proposed renewable energy such as wind, water, biomass and manual energy were said to be in process. But due to time constraint the visiting team was not able to witness them all.
During the visit, Namnao National Park, through an arrangement of the Director of National Park Office, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, generously contributed one-night lodging for the visiting team, equivalent to THB: 2,000.
III. Second progress report ( 14 February 2011 ):
Undertaken Activities:
1. Keeping on building capacity of target population on renewable energy technology and ecosystems management (Biomass energy, water hammer and conservation plan)
2. Putting into practice what being learnt ( demarcating conservation zone, re-vegetating river banks, agro-forestry, biogas pits, and electricity by wind energy for water pumping)
Results and indicators:
1. Community pressing environmental problems being highlighted, introduced into TAO meetings for integration of community action plans
2. Increased institutional capacity/awareness of the CBOs prompting restructuring process
3. Witnessed reduction of soil erosion in project location, additional green area and food security situation looming
4. Increased technical capacity of 25 community members on construction of renewable energy equipment/facilities
5. Five 8-cu.m biogas pits being completed and operational for 15 families, with average saving of THB: 400/family/month
6. Two 2.5 kW of wind turbo-generator being completed supplying electricity for water pumping- avoidance of grid energy and gasoline
7. Twenty water hammers being fabricated supplying water for irrigation for agricultural practice - avoidance of grid energy and gasoline
Project communication:
During the reporting period, the Watchdog Company Limited visited the project for producing ? Community Energy Programme?.
Experience , lessons Learnt, problem and issue:
The project referred to complication of renewable energy technology as a main problem. Comparatively new to communities, construction of these types of energy, especially wind and biogas, during the starting period was very slow. To address the issue, some specialists were invited to provide more technicality.
Project expense:
The project report the accumulated expense of THB: 960,000 out of the sum of first & second disbursement of THB: 961,513.24.
IV. Completion Report ( 22 March, 2012):
Date of Participatory Evaluation( December 2011):
Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel:
Women: 1,891
Men: 1,930
Children: 670
Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours:
Women: 120
Men: 215
Children: 140
Expense:
Amount received from SGP (3 disbursements): THB: 1,412,725.34
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 1,630,800
Balance: THB: (-218,074.66)
Amount authorized for the final payment: US$: 4,875.34
Amount Received from others: THB: 15,250 (in cash)
THB: 2,074,000 (in kind)
Activities undertaken:
1. Building capacity of target population on renewable energy technology and management
2. Demonstration of uses of renewable energy: biomass, biogas , wind, water , solar and manual energy
3. Participatory Evaluation
4. Knowledge Management and outreach
Results and indicators:
1. Increased institutional capacity/awareness of the CBOs prompting restructuring and application process
2. Community pressing environmental problems being highlighted, introduced into TAO meetings resulting in local enactment on local environment, integrated action plans
3. Witnessed reduction of soil erosion in project location, additional green area and food security situation looming within the two GIS- demarcated community forests of about 1,120 ha
4. Increased technical capacity of 25 community members on construction of renewable energy equipment/facilities
5. Ten 4-cu.M and five 8-cu.M biogas pits being completed and operational for 15 families, with average saving of THB: 400/family/month on canned gas or about 1.5 cans of 15 kg. each
6. Two 2.5 kW of wind turbo-generator being completed supplying electricity for water pumping- avoidance of a portion of grid energy and gasoline
Project Communication:
Nothing specific during the final quarter.
Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
Rehabilitation and conservation of natural resources and ecosystems in targeted location still required continuous cooperation, even when the supported project had come to an end. In order to retain this momentum, the network would
1. continue to support community learning process and putting in real practice on environmentally-friendly agriculture at individual level
2. continue to support establishing community forest committee at village level by making use the participatory process among communities and forest protection volunteer group
3. Continue to support establishing CBO council of Tambol Lakdarn in accordance with the Tambol Enactment B.E. 2551. The council will coordinate with various CBOs in the location to participate in local administration one of which aims to protection of natural resources and the environment. With this establishment, the council would pave way to apply for financial support from the Community Organizations Development institute.
Note: The project was awarded with a new grant from a donation programme of the Japanese Embassy in Thailand to build a premises and factory to build soil-cement block for construction/repair of the houses -aiming to reduce consumption of wood in this activity.
Experience , Lessons Learnt , Problems and Issues:
The project referred to complication of modern technology on GIS and renewable energy as major problems on building capacity of targeted population, thus requiring additional technical support and resources persons from CODI , Loei Provincial Land Reform Network and academic institute. Under the additional support, the project fared smoothly.
