One of the late King’s initiated projects, the Huai Ta Poe reservoir is in a healthy condition and a good example of Ecosystem-based Adaptation. This was confirmed by German experts from GFA Consulting Royal Irrigation Department (RID) and ECOSWat project after an evaluation and the conducting of a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) on 21 – 24 March 2017.

To meet the increasing demand for water in the agricultural sector, the Royal Irrigation Department (RID), of Thailand has developed several water storage areas. The Huai Ta Poe reservoir project is the King’s Initiative Project located in Ban Koh sub-district, Kamcha-e district in Mukdahan province. Its main purpose is irrigation. In this area, RID has already implemented 7 reservoirs, yet the quantity of water is insufficient for the farmers’ agricultural activities. However, the quality of water and water resources, conservation and sustainability eventually affects the quantity of water available to serve the population in the area. Hence, cooperation amongst locals and authorities from the relevant sectors is crucial.

In this regard, RID requested GIZ-ECOSWat to review an ongoing project and evaluate it in relation to the EbA concept. From 21 – 24 March 2017, Dr. Huburt Lohr and Mr. Klaus Sattler from GFA Consulting in Hamburg, Germany together with representatives from RID and ECOSWat project visited the Huai Ta Poe project area. They also conducted a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA), which included a questionnaire to be completed by all stakeholders in the river basin area from upstream to downstream.

In this regard, RID requested GIZ-ECOSWat to review an ongoing project and evaluate it in relation to the EbA concept. From 21 – 24 March 2017, Dr. Huburt Lohr and Mr. Klaus Sattler from GFA Consulting in Hamburg, Germany together with representatives from RID and ECOSWat project visited the Huai Ta Poe project area. They also conducted a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA), which included a questionnaire to be completed by all stakeholders in the river basin area from upstream to downstream.

From the survey, the team found that the catchment area in Huai Ta Poe is in a healthy state. There are natural buffer strips between agricultural areas and the river along the river stream. Furthermore, the upstream area is abundant with natural evergreen forest, contributing positive impacts downstream such as low risk of flooding. The healthy status of the area can be used as an example of best practice for EbA at the local level in Thailand. The survey results and evaluation will be presented to RID for consideration to adopt a higher level of EbA in the area.