Recognising that “water” is fundamental to all livings, His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn considers water shortage a crucial problem that has tremendous effect on the livelihood of his people and should readily be solved. Upon His Majesty’s accession to the throne, he commanded that “I shall continue, preserve, and build upon the royal legacy and shall reign with righteousness for the benefit and happiness of the people forever.” It was through His Majesty’s First Royal Command that the Crown Property Bureau has fully acknowledged the royal wish to continue His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s legacy and improve the livelihood of all Thais.
With determination to continue His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s aspiration, the Crown Property Bureau, together with partner organisations, has led the initiation of Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project with goals to help relieve drought and create environmental balance which would eventually lead to sustainability in water management.
Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project
The location of Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project is in Takhli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, covering a vast area of 766-0-75 rai where the lands are managed by the Crown Property Bureau. Together with local government and private organisations, all have joined forces to drive long-term defensive project which sustainably tackles water shortage for the benefit of local people in Nakhon Sawan Province’s Promnimit and Chongkae Districts.
The area around the reservoir pond used to be abundant with “kaolin” aka “white clay” which the Siam Cement PCL utilised as the main raw material in cement production until 1916. Due to the excavation of kaolin, the area transformed into a vast water reservoir where people from surrounding areas settled in to use water for consumption and agriculture.
However, with changing environmental conditions due to the constructions of railways, roadways and dwellings, all these factors led to blockage flow of natural water. As a result, water level in the reservoir decreased tremendously and became insufficient for local consumption.
Since 2020, Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project has come up with plans that are align with local preference to sustainably execute long-term solutions to water shortage. The project focuses to tackle three main problems in water management as follows :
1.The improvement and maintenance of water source : Carrying out the excavation of reservoir pond and the revamp of irrigation system to enhance water reserve efficiency during rainy season which will be stored for consumption in summer.
2.Water shortage solution : Sourcing of natural water which can be used to fill into the reservoir pond as reserve for year-round consumption.
3.The improvement of local people’s livelihood : Solving water shortage problem and assisting the locals to improve their livelihood at the same time. These goals could be achieved by restoring landscape around the reservoir pond and providing knowledge about integrated farming.
Collaborative Integration Leading to Shared Benefits
Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project is collaboratively driven by the Crown Property Bureau and partner organisations, both governmental and private, with a mutual goal for the benefits of the locals. Together, all parties uphold His Majesty the late King Bhumibhol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy and Integrated Agriculture while also working on water management problem.
The project emphasises on four main approaches which are :
1. The restoration of Khao Wong Forest and Nong Kra Ta Swamp
- Restoring forestry, as well as building check dam and reservoir to increase water storage capacity.
- Applying “Three Forests for Four Benefits” Theory. This simply means the cultivation of three kinds of forests which are timber, fruits and firewood. These forests have four benefits. That is, they can be used to make shelter, consume, utilise within household and can also help conserve soil and watersheds.
- Building water conservation system and water gate system from Khao Wong Watershed.
- Diverging the direction of water flow to the reservoir through underground piping system.
2. The reinforcement of local participation in integrated farming
- Connecting watercourse along the road with the North side of the project.
- Building retention pond and watercourse with additional water reserve system and retention tank.
- Building pumping system which is operated by solar power.
- Building automatic water tank.
3. The restoration of waterways connected to Chai Nat Canal (Khlong Chai Nat)
- Farming teak trees using solar power to drain water to the canal.
- Dredging the canal to efficiently release water to farming areas.
- Reorganising the inner area of the project and efficiently managing water system for integrated farming.
4. Systemic development of the project’s surrounding area
- Dredging the canal to efficiently release water to farming areas.
- Reorganising the inner area of the project.
- Managing water system for integrated farming.
- Harvesting local and edible crops around the reservoir pond to help conserve soil and diminish the possibility of shore collapse.
Working in Parallel Between Problem-Solving and Developmental Schemes
Balanced Happiness… By the Community for the Community
Local participation is key to achieve sustainability for the community as evident in the project’s watershed management, water management and overall environmental management that have been systematically carried out. In the future, it is expected that Bo Din Kao Reservoir Pond Development Project will serve as an important source of knowledge on integrated farming and a model for community water management. This project demonstrates that quality livelihood could be achieved through self-sufficiency and local appreciation of their own native inhabitant and environmental resources. These qualities of the locals are essential to creating mutual understanding in environmental management which will lead to strong community, balanced happiness as well as sustainability.
