By providing awareness on the conservation of plant species with medical properties this may have a subliminal effect in the communities and their awareness to the environment. Conservation of local medicinal plants species and its habitat is likely to instill in the minds of targeted communities which consequently raises awareness on environment, globally.
Growing of medicinal plants and inventory of species with known medicinal properties by technician and identifying potential plant species had strengthen capacity of the community in terms of expanding knowledge on medicinal plants.
Project sustainability
In terms of project sustainability, it is vital to note the biodiversity conservation impact of the project. Over-harvesting of this plant species will ultimate be detrimental to the population of the plant. By providing planting techniques to the villagers, harvesting of wild population will decrease giving much needed time to wild population to recuperate.
Replication of project activities
Opportunity of the project to be replicated is very promosing. The adjacent villages shown great interesting of adapting the growing of medicinal plants in their garden. In the future, the project proponent would see increasing areas of medicinal gardens in neighboring district.
Planning non gef grant
The project is currently being funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) after fund from SGP was disbursed, this is primarily to scale up the small project.
Notable Community Participation
There is a notable participation of community in the project. Community is well represented from the implementation of the project to its current state. Building of roads and plating of medicinal plant was participated by neighboring villages specially at vicinity of the temple.
Project Results
The project managed to install electricity for the house which community uses to process medicine. Electricity is now available all year round which would significantly lessen the burden of the villagers specially at night time. The provision of electricity brought about huge convenience to the project e.g. patients are now able to access the project site at nighttime.Water pump and water holding container was also established at the village to distribute water to the communities. In addition, the water container will provide the project site of a much needed water supply. Two families have also claimed the land and fund was given to them of approximately 19,390,000 million kip (2423 USD). An access road was also constructed to promote ease of access to the temple whenever people desired to visit the temple to obtain free medicinal plants. The preparation of land made for planting the seedlings were also finished, an approximately 50 hectares of potential medicinal plant gardens are protected by installing fence to protect seedlings from being damage by domesticated and wild animals. There are over 50 species of medicinal plants recorded in the course of inventory. The village is also ready to accept visitors and patient alike and footpath is made around the temple for the visitors to walk around the temple. At this time, village provides homestay to patient who wishes to stay in the community. In addition, homestay and medicines are provided free of charge to the patient. Survey and placement of marker has also been completed in three districts namely Patomphone, Souhkuma and Muang Khom. A small irrigation was also built to supply medical gardens and the community, it is planned that a small irrigation system will be expanded to accommodate increasing areas of medicinal gardens. A total of 300 hectares in two villages has been survey and area will be considered forest protected areas for medicinal plant. Signage was placed to inform visitors and villagers on the boundary of the designated protected forest areas. Seedlings were already planted while others still to be planted due to rainy season. Remaining SGP fund had been used to facilitate administrative work and aid current activities in hand. Difficulties of the project include weather dependent activities such as planting, lack of knowledge in identifying species of plant and their specific uses. Also, lack of technical staff to organize the project to its fullest potential. Designs and survey of the small reservoir is currently ongoing, this will supply project site when completed. The communities received seedlings from district office and other came from neighboring country and all of which were already planted. Ultimately, by planting medicinal plant in the gardens of villages, the community will be self sufficient, producing and marketing of community-based herbal made medicines. The self-sufficiency of the communities for raw materials in producing traditional herbal medicines will result in less harvesting pressure to the adjacent forests found at the vicinity of the community. Sustainable harvesting of local medicinal plants species will promote the equally important traditional way of living that has been passed on through generations.
