Project Results
I. Progress report (Jun 26, 2013):
Activities undertaken:
1.Launching capacity building through open forum ,meeting and survey & assessment
2. Launching demonstration of conservation activities: fish habitats, reserve areas , etc.
3. Launching dissemination of project results
4. Launching participatory evaluation
Results of activities:
1. Increased awareness and capacity of targeted population evinced by active participation in meetings and sharing of ideas and thoughts during field activities
2. Increased recognition from Khoke Sarn Tambol Administrative Organizations witnessed by in kind contribution of several types of facilities , such as , internet connection, computer and sometimes personnel, to the project
3. Established and proclamation of one fish conservation zone with 15 committee members to oversight its function and protection
4. Evinced more cooperation and harmony in communities because of equal right in managing he conservation zone.
Project Visibility and Communication by other organizations/individuals:
On 13 April 2013, a group of tourists, district officers and CEO, affiliation CSO in Charnumarn District and Channel 3 TV participating in the opening ceremony of the conservation zone and life-prolonging rite of Mekong River.
Emerging problems and issues:
As the conservation zone was established in Mekong River with rocks strewn to the middle of the river, the general view of the adjacent location is a tourist attraction spot. Sometimes, these tourists scared the fishes, especially during dry season. But during
Approaches to address/Recommendation:
1.Project committee laid down floats at a deep -water area to prevent swimming.
2. The abbot of the temple in front of the zone was committed to give a gentle reminders to tourists and other individuals
3. A plan was initiated to involve direct management of the TAO
Project experience and lessons learnt :
By-and-large, targeted population was busy enough in daily livelihood. If fishes were caught, they could be sure that food would be available. If not, it would be interpreted as bad luck. If more fishes were caught, it could be interpreted as a very good luck. This was a general attitude of targeted population. The project had provided opportunity for them to participate and have the right attitude in conservation.
Project expense:
The project reported the expense of THB: 229,281 out of the first disbursement of THB:374,965.89.
II. Monitoring Visit (October 31, 2013):
Findings & Observation:
The visiting team was led to see one of the two established fish conservation zone in front of the temple of Baan(village) Khansoong, in Tambol Khoke Sarn of Charnumarn District. an agricultural village in the Mekong River Bank. The zone, demarcated with floats forming an area of 100 m x150 m was selected through community participatory process, with three signboards displaying conservation area, names of overseeing committee, and regulations for public to heed regarding regulating the use of fresh water resources.
The other fish conservation zone established and functioning in the same fashion was witnessed in Baan Khoke Sarn Tha, only one or two kilometers away. However, this zone was larger in area, i.e. of 200 m x 300 m, also in front of the village temple. According to project leaders, the area was laid down with artificial reefs to provide refuge for fishes strengthening conservation effort of communities.
In order to further strengthen conservation and plan for sustainable use, the communities in conjunction the temples initiated a fish nursery activities to ensure sufficient numbers of juvenile native fishes before releasing them into the zone.
It was found that all proposed activities were carried out as planned. Project leaders displayed conservation awareness, capacity and understanding of project courses and their livelihood satisfactorily. According to this brief interaction, responsible government agencies in the district had acknowledged community efforts and provided support as necessary.
As project location and communities were closely related to communities on the other side of the river, people naturally crossed the river for business or family matters, and as the location, especially Kaeng Khan Soong, was comparatively attractive for tourism, project leaders ensured that project activities had been mainstreamed to a certain extent. As the matter of fact, project leaders had already initiated replication of activities in other villages in Tambol Khoke Sarn. This would be proven by their forthcoming plan to invite the governor to preside over an traditional event to be organized sometime next year.
III. Completion report (September 23, 2014):
Date of Participatory Evaluation(August 16-17, 2014 ):
Number of Beneficiaries/ Participating personnel:
Women: 451
Men: 468
Children: 59
Number of persons trained/ attending seminars, joining study tours:
Women: 27
Men:22
Children: 13
Expense:
Amount received from SGP (2 disbursements): THB: 681,106.38
Total amount spent out of SGP budget: THB: 789,228
Balance: THB: ( -108,121.62)
Amount authorized for the final payment: US$: 2,447.56
Amount Received from others: THB: 54,800 (in cash)
THB: 404,585 (in kind)
Activities undertaken:
1.Launching capacity building through open forum, meeting and survey & assessment
2. Launching demonstration of conservation activities: fish habitats, reserve areas
3.Launching dissemination of project results
4. Launching participatory evaluation
Results and indicators:
1. Increased awareness & capacity of targeted population witnessed by establishment of 4 volunteer groups
2. Additional 2 conserved fish habitats with total area of about 65,000 square meters , with clear community regulations
3. At least 27 threatened fish species and 2 water plant species being protected in the conservation areas
4. Compilation of community knowledge on sustainable management of fishery for later generation ( One data & information centre and one learning site)
Project Communication:
In addition to the communication mentioned in the progress report, there were 12 visitations from groups/agencies/individuals to the project, starting from November 17, 2013- September 3, 2014.
Problems and Issues:
The project mentioned harvesting and reaping seasons as main factors to delay some planned technical activities. The project had to wait for the right time and the right persons.
Experience , Lessons Learnt :
1. Conservation of a project arising from the collective needs required continued communication amongst stakeholders, especially community leaders, so that collective principles and regulations would be established and respected.
2. In locating a conservation area, a location under community care and support should be given priority, e.g. sacred sites , sites connected to traditional belief. As these sites would be recognized by communities thus supporting conservation course. In case of such sites, a background or story should be publicized and posted.
3. In communicating with communities, technical terms or words not familiar to communities should be avoided. For instance, merit-making zone for lives should be used instead of conservation zone.
4. Data & information from community-based researches were driving factors for community conservation.
Plans and Activities for Sustainability:
The project planned to continue conservation activities through interaction with communities and other stakeholders who would visit the data & information centre and the learning site which were the results of the project.
