🏞️ SDG 15: Life on Land NSTRU: Conserving Plant Genetics and Sustainable Land Use

💡 Goals and Conservation Activities:

The project promotes awareness among community members and youth regarding the value of natural resources and land through the following activities:

• Sustainable Utilization: Demonstrating how to prepare savory and sweet dishes using **local plants (cashew nuts)** to support sustainable use and value creation.
• Youth Conservation Awareness: A coloring workshop titled **”I Love Phra Thep”** (referring to the Princess) to instill conservation awareness in children and youth.

📅 Event Details:

• ▪ Date: April 2, 2024
• ▪ Location: Ban Pa Yang Child Development Center, Tha Ngio, Nakhon Si Thammarat.

🔗 Reference Link:

• ► Facebook Post (Activity Details and Photos)

🏞️ Pak Phanang River Basin Development & Forest Restoration

👑 Royal Initiatives and Sustainable Land Use:

• ▪ **Demonstration Plot:** Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited the **”Phor… Piang Nee Kor Phor”** demonstration plot for the **New Theory Agriculture model**, which serves as a blueprint for **sustainable land use**.

🖼️ University Exhibition:

The university co-organized the exhibition **”Developing the Pak Phanang River Basin According to Royal Initiatives,”** presenting **knowledge, research, and conservation activities** related to the local peat swamp forest and ecosystem.

🔗 Reference Link:

• ► Facebook Post (Event Details and Photos)

🚜 Sustainable Land Management for Tourism: The “Kok-Nong-Na” Model

🏞️ Focus: Land Management Based on the Kok-Nong-Na Model:

The event focused on transferring knowledge and facilitating the exchange of experiences regarding sustainable land management using the **”Kok–Nong–Na Model”**. This model is a guideline for managing agricultural areas to achieve optimal outcomes across **soil and water conservation, biodiversity,** and development toward an area supporting **sustainable tourism**.

📢 Key Activities and Community Capacity Building:

• ▪ **Demonstrations** on managing agricultural areas for tourism.
• ▪ **Value addition** to community products and designing **tourism activities** that respect the ecosystem and community way of life.
• ▪ The activity aimed to strengthen community capacity to understand and build skills for land management that achieves a balance among the **economy, society, and environment for tourism**, with an emphasis on **local ownership and community participation**. (Total participants: over 900 people)

🔗 Reference Links:

• ► Google Photos (Event Album)
• ► Facebook Post (Event Details)

⭐ Developing Land Management Standards for Sustainable Tourism

🎯 Goal: Sustainable Administration and Management:

The main goal was to promote the **sustainable administration and management** of community-based tourism areas. The university team provided **academic guidelines** for the systematic development of area management in preparation for the community-based tourism standards assessment.

🤝 Outcome and Network Partners:

• ▪ **Capacity Building:** The community can now apply area management knowledge in planning and managing ecological and cultural tourism destinations effectively, leading to the **strengthening of the community enterprise group in managing their land resources and tourism areas independently**.
• ▪ **Standard Setting:** The initiative is designed to raise community-based tourism standards to **accepted levels**.
• ▪ **Multi-Sectoral Assessment:** The project involved an assessment committee comprising key provincial and national agencies including the Department of Tourism, TAT, BAAC, and the Provincial Tourism Industry Council, fostering **sustainable cooperation among network partners**.

🔗 Reference Link:

• ► Facebook Post (Activity Details and Photos)

🤝 Collaborating with Communities to Maintain Shared Land Ecosystems

🎯 Objectives: Joint Conservation and Sustainable Management:

• ▪ Promote the **systematic conservation of terrestrial ecosystems** through the exchange of knowledge regarding monitoring and maintenance.
• ▪ Establish cooperation among **government agencies, the university, and community network partners** to develop mechanisms for the **sustainable management of terrestrial resources** in the region.

🌱 University Support for Youth Conservation Awareness:

• ▪ The university supported student participation in activities like **mangrove planting, biodiversity surveys, and environmental volunteer activities** to build **conservation awareness** through hands-on practice.
• ▪ These efforts enhanced young people’s understanding of the importance of **coastal and terrestrial ecosystems**, which are the vital resource bases for local communities.

✅ Activity Outcomes:

• Creation of a cooperative network for terrestrial resource conservation.
• Enhanced knowledge, awareness, and understanding among youth and local residents.
• Empowerment of communities in sustainable ecosystem monitoring and restoration.

🧪 Water Discharge Guidelines and Standards (In Place: 2024)

🔬 Developing Expertise in Water Quality Monitoring:

• ▪ **Student Water Analysis Workshop (Feb 1–2, 2024):** The Faculty of Science and Technology organized an activity on **chemical, biological, and physical water quality analysis** for students from Kanlayanee Nakhon Si Thammarat School to impart knowledge on sound water quality monitoring and assessment (SDG 4).
• ▪ **Personnel Training (Mar 13, 2024):** The Environmental Science program participated in training on **environmental pollution control and wastewater treatment technology** at Thaksin Palm (2521) Co., Ltd. The aim was to develop the capacity of personnel for application to the university’s own system.

✅ Commitment to Sustainable Discharge:

These efforts reflect the university’s commitment to setting guidelines and developing **water quality standards prior to environmental discharge**, to control and **reduce water pollution sustainably**. They also serve as a crucial mechanism for enhancing the knowledge of students, the community, and personnel regarding systematic wastewater management.

📦 Implementation & Recycling Efforts:

• Waste Recycling Project: The university implemented a project establishing **sorting points** and consolidating recyclable materials (plastic, paper, glass, aluminum) in single containers to stimulate continuous recycling efforts.

🔬 Research for Policy Effectiveness:

The University conducts research to concretely support the policy, such as the project titled **“Knowledge, Understanding, and Solid Waste Management Behavior of Dormitory Students at Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University”** (2024). This study aims to utilize the data in developing **effective measures for reducing plastic use** within the University.

✅ Expected Outcomes:

• Increased awareness among students and personnel regarding plastic waste reduction.
• Development of guidelines for modifying behavior toward more **environmentally friendly packaging use**.
• Systematic management of waste within the university area.

⚠️ Hazardous Waste Disposal Policy & Low-Carbon Agriculture (In Place: 2024)

🎯 Goal: Systematic Hazardous Waste Management:

• ▪ **Scope:** Aims to develop a **low-carbon agricultural ecosystem** in Phrom Khiri District and within the University itself by reducing the risks arising from hazardous chemicals remaining in the environment.
• ▪ **Management Guidelines:** Involves **surveying and analyzing residues** in soil and water, and establishing guidelines for the **safe management of waste and chemicals**, including segregation, collection, and disposal under authorized expert supervision and environmental safety standards.

🌱 Promoting Chemical-Free Production and Quality of Life:

• Supports the production of **herbs from chemical-free agricultural produce**.
• Aims to create quality products and **elevate the standards of community goods** while preserving the environment.
• **Outcomes:** Establishing a hazardous waste management system in agricultural areas, **tangible improvements in residents’ quality of life**, promotion of the grassroots economy, and **reduced impacts on the ecosystem**.