Learning for Our Beloved River: HIA Applications in Tha Chin River

1. "Learning for Our Beloved River : HIA Applications inTha Chin River" 7th June 2007 Prachoen Khonthet We Love Thachin River Society Nakhonpathom Thailand

2. Area: 13,000 sq.km. Chai Nat Population: 2.5 million 4 Provinces Suphanburi Major Land Uses: Agriculture Nakhon Pathom Land Uses in the Thachin Basin Samut Sakhon

3. Nakhonpathom province is the land of agriculture, there are many products such as, rice, pomelo, grape, rose apple, guava, mango, coconut and orchid that very well known countrywide.

4. In ancient times this land was the capital of the Thai kingdom Dvaravadhi, which existed 2,000 years ago.

5. Communities 30 % Agriculture 37 % (Swine Farm 23 % Other 14 %) Industries 33 % Waste Water Sources to Tha Chin River

6. Water Quality Situation in the Lower Thachin River DO < 2 mg/l BOD > 2 mg/l

7. Tha Chin River runs through Nakhonpathom province had many problems because the water plant “Java weed” was growing so fast.

8. The slogan of We Love Tha Chin River Society Nakhonpathom is “Connecting the People, Conservating Tha Chin River”

9. ชัยนาท สุพรรณบุรี ประตูน้ำโพธิ์พระยา ทิศทางการไหลของน้ำ ประตูน้ำระบายน้ำท่าสาร บางปลา Problem Area นครปฐม สมุทรสาคา Critical Waste Water Problem in 2000

10. Fish Died During the Critical Situations Physical Characteristics of the river

11. We Love Tha Chin River Society Nakhonpathom offered itself to join with Health System Reform Office by implementing HIA according to the draft National Health Act.

12. We Love Tha Chin River Society applied Health Impact Assessment for Health Public Policy in two cases. • the case of the proposal to construct two dams on Tha Chin River • Water management of local administration organization in Bang Rakam subdistrict.

13. The first case of the proposalto construct two dams on Tha Chin River

14. 1.screening The two dams project was proposed by the Royal Irrigation Department in 2002. The documents for the public hearing of the dam construction project, which was managed by the Team of Consulting Engineering and Management limited company.

15. 2. Public scoping • The process of identifing critical problems and impacts of the two dams project • We Love Tha Chin Society and the leaders of communities went on the study visit on the completed, similar dam project in another province. • Several monthly meetings of WLTCS were devoted to discuss the issues, hundred of people participated in the meetings.

16. 3. Assessing • Try to get all related information • Variuos meetings in different communities • People in other provinces also joined hand together • Synthesize the impacts and producing the documents

17. 4. Public Review On 21st May 2002, arranged by We Love Tha Chin River Society and held the public forum on “Advantage and Disadvantage from the dam construction” for listening to the voices of the local people, teachers, students, monks.

18. They presented the facts, opinions, concerns, and options. The construction of the two dams will block the free flowing of the river, causing water pollution in the Tha Chin River for more than 90 kilometers.

19. The three documents produced by the We Love Tha Chin Society  The Crying of Bang Pakong Dam Destiny of Tha Chin Rivers The press release

20. 5.Influencing On 15 th July 2002, the Royal Irrigation Department organized the formal public meeting for listening to the voices of the stakeholders on the two dam projects.

21. The conclusion of the public hearing by the chair was that there will be severe impacts from the two dams, so the project should not be constructed. The conclusion was presented to the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives.

22. We Love Tha Chin Society continued to influence the decision-making. The Ministerial Cabinet’s Resolution was made to cancel the two dams project.

23. Outcomes of the HIA process This became the case to show that the local civil society has the potential to learn and influence the Government’s decision.

24. The Second Case of Bang Rakam Sub-district, Nakhonpathom province Water Management by the Local Administrative Organization

25. The Tha Chin River runs through Bang Rakam sub-district, Nakorn Prathom province. Most area is the green and fertile land.

26. In 1999, Savittachat Canal faced many problems such as, water pollution, the fast growth of java weed and many kinds of grass. Furthermore, people cannot use the water in the canal at all, even cannot use for agriculture.

27. Mr. Somchai Chan-Inngam , the village headman talked to the villagers about the water quality’s problem that has impacts to their daily life. The conclusion is that they should help themselves without waiting for support from the government or other outsiders. They decided to solve these problems by themselves.

28. The 1st period On 5th December 1999, the villagers gathered to clean up all of java weeds and the other waste from the Savittachat Canal.

29. The 2nd period To create a continuous working mechanism, they set up We Love Savittachat Canal society for canal conservation in 1999. Each household donated 200 baht (5 USD) for hiring the persons to look after this canal and must be the local villagers.

30. Moreover, there was an agreement together that they will not use the pesticide for their agriculture, and monitored by the villagers.

31. The 3rd period This period is working toward sustainability of this canal. There were supporting and the public relation for the community to stop using the chemical and stop throwing waste into the canal. Also promote the use of Effective Microorganism instead of using chemicals.

32. Even if there were some problems but the idea of “Savittachat Canal Model” also expanded to the other 9 canals in the area.

33. They expanded the success by using the participatory process to other 26 canals in Bang Rakam district and set up the network called “We Love Canal of Bang Rakam Sub-district society”. The Local Administrative Organization of Bang Rakam Sub-district has allocated the budget for each canal.

34. The people from Bang Rakam have addressed the issue of healthy canals, finding the way to solve the water pollution. Moreover, these attemps are also for the learning and healthy public policy making.

35. In addition, The Local Administrative Organization of Bang Rakam has decided on the land use policy and determined that the area will be the organics agricultural zone. They reduced the chemical uses and increase organics fertilizer and EM. Moreover, they also built the organics fertilizer factory for their use in the community.

36. The last words from the people of Tha Chin River “We believe that if the good opportunity of learning process is opened to local community, the healthy river as well as the well-being of the community will be ensured”

37. Thank you very much for your attention Sawasdee ka