I. Progress report (July 22, 2013):
Activities undertaken:
1.Launching capacity building through open forum for representatives from other river basins to share experience and assess situation of Mekong River
2. Launching demonstration of conservation activities: management of reserved areas
3. Launching dissemination of project results
4. Launching participatory evaluation

Results of activities:
1. River basin related situation including fishery being shared resulting in confirmation on formulation of action plans to demarcate conservation zones and other related resources with additional over 100 ha of community forest being expanded
2. Two fish conservation zones being established in Songkhram River with one in Mekong River
3. About 40,000 young fishes being donated by Bungkarn and Nakhornphanom Provincial Fishery Office and to be release in the conservation zones
4. Compiled GPS and forest resources in six communities to be used in conservation and sustainable use planning
5. About 6,000 seedlings being prepared and THB: 90,000 received from Nakhornphanom Provincial Natural Resource and Environment Office for forthcoming reforestation
6. Photos depicting all project activities being prepared for dissemination on website of Prachatham and Thai NGO

Project Visibility and Communication by other organizations/individuals:
On 8-9 Feb 2013,reporters of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service and Isan Post local newspaper participated in and recorded activities and results of open forum and the project.

Emerging problems and issues:
1. Integrating project activities with other public agencies was delayed or sometimes impossible because of the inconsistencies between the project plan and agencies? plan (e.g. contribution of young fishes and seedlings)
2. Demarcating and proclaiming community forests and fish conservation zones were not welcomed by some community members as such areas affected their livelihood activities which had been in practice for quite a long time. In some cases, signboards of conservation were destroyed.

Approaches to address/Recommendation:
1. Targeted population was advised to plan activity ahead for the year 2014 to secure contribution in term of additional young fishes and seedlings.
2. Contribution might be well received if requests were submitted to regional office, not provincial office.
3. Adjustment of plans and activities so that an established and functioning conservation zones would not adversely affect community livelihood activities. This would be carried out through consultative process with community leaders.

Project experience and lessons learnt :
1. As mentioned earlier, coordination to get and secure contribution and supports from government agencies should be planned ahead and according to fiscal year.
2. Establishment of fish conservation zones should be carried out in a way that avoided confrontation and conflict of interest of major stakeholders in communities.
3. Project activities and plans should be adjustable to absorb diverse thoughts and ideas. Communities should be encouraged to have bigger says than external NGO/CSO.

Project expense:
The project reported the expense of THB: 308,250 out of the first disbursement of THB:386,992.09.


II. Monitoring Visit (October 30, 2013):
Findings & Observation:
At the meeting room of the Non-formal Education Office of Tha Uthane District?s Tambol Chaiyaburi - one of the primary four targeted locations in four provinces along Mekong River, the visiting team was briefed by 10 project leaders/members. It was confirmed that three community forest reserves had undergone public hearing and been demarcated with regulations enforced. As to fish conservation zones, only one of the three proposed was established under the same condition and enforcement. Due to community conflict on fishery, two other fish conservation zones were not established yet.

To witness the established fish conservation zone, the team was led to see Huay (creek) Kern in Baan(village) Na Nong Bok, an integrated ecosystems of Mekong River ,the creek had been playing a vital role supplying water for agricultural practices and fishes for consumption. Through public hearing process, the project demarcated 100 of several hundred - ha area in the creek and proclaimed it as a fish conservation zone.

To witness a community forest reserve, the team proceeded to see a terrain surrounded by water of Songkhram River, called Don Klang, still in Baan Na Nong Bok. The terrain resembled a forested islet in a fresh water ecosystems. An area about 60 ha had been demarcated and proclaimed as a community forest reserve.

To witness another community forest reserve, the team left Baan Nong Bok for Baan Don Du, only a few kilometers away. The village was situated in the same ecosystem but slightly different terrain,. Community members in Baan Don Du was successful to demarcate 3 plots of forests as community forest reserves. The total area of 90 ha ,this forest appeared to be slightly different from the first in term of soil conditions and plant diversity. Project leaders related that inventorying process had been conducted by Mahasakharm University, one major stakeholder of GEF SGP in Thailand.

It was found that major proposed activities - capacity- building, and establishing conservation areas ?
Were carried out with some promising results, even though establishing 3 fish conservation zones
remained an issue to be addressed. Project leaders appeared to be satisfied with project results.

III. Completion report (November 28, 2014):
Date of Participatory Evaluation(October 30, 2014 ):

Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel:
Women: 76
Men: 108
Children: 267

Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours:
Women: 27
Men: 35
Children: 0

Expense:
Amount received from SGP (2 disbursements): THB: 702,951.36
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 780,710
Balance: THB: ( -77,758.64)
Amount authorized for the final payment: US$: 2,526.06
Amount Received from others: THB: 156,000 (in cash)
THB: 957,700 (in kind)

Activities undertaken:
1.Launching capacity building through open forum
2. Launching demonstration of conservation activities: reserved areas
3. Launching dissemination of project results
4. Launching participatory evaluation

Results and indicators:
1. Increased awareness and capacity of targeted population witnessed by active participation in management of habitats/niches of water species and river banks against erosion
2. Two threatened water species being protected and increased in number in two established fish conservation zones
3. Establishment of 7 community forest reserve areas in Mekong River and its tributaries leading to increased community food security system with total area of about 280 ha
4. Replication of the project resulting in one more community forest of about 35 ha and additional support from Royal Forest Department?s Community Forest Bureau
5. Compiled community knowledge on water species management and sustainable fishery for dissemination to wider public

Project Communication:
In addition to the communication in the previous period, there was the following;
On 3 October 2014, Rajabhat University Udornthani visited the project and proposed potential of project location for additional research on community eco-tourism.

Problems and Issues:
Difficult cooperation between community across Mekong River , due to difference in political systems was referred to as a main issue. This was addressed by unofficial approaches ,resorting to ancestral links and common traditional event such as boat race and religious rites.

Experience , Lessons Learnt :
The same as stated in the progress report was mentioned.

Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
The project proposed long term plan and got support from MRC under BDP, Water Resources Department and Kasetsart University. The plan aimed to enhance capacity of network of CSO on Mekong River regarding water resources management and community environment in Mekong River basin ( 1,057 villages, 99 Tambols (sub-district), 29 Districts and 8 provinces situated along the river).