Pathum Thani: Residents, state officials and factory operators in tambon Khu Bang Luang of Lat Lum Kaeo district in this Central Plains province are joining hands to come up with plans to tackle trash and water pollution problems in their area under the Industry Ministry's Eco-Industrial Town project.
As set out in tripartite plans and agreements, the parties have acknowledged that rubbish and polluted water are jeopardising their health, safety and the environment.
They have agreed to collaborate to take action to address the problems through projects they have initiated. As part of this, they have identified improving health and wellness as a key priority.
Kanchana Yathong, an assistant to village head of Moo 6 Ban Khlong Bang Luang, said trash and water pollution in her tambon have not been fully resolved due to a lack of participation by local people.
Many people and some factories have released waste water into canals.
Worse, many families have not separated waste according to guidelines.
"So, it's high time for us to fight to deal with these environmental problems so that we live happier lives. We must deal with trash and polluted water.
"If we see someone throwing garbage on the road or making public places dirty and releasing waste water into natural water sources, what should we do?'' Ms Kanchana asked participants at a brainstorming workshop recently organised by Group I of Class XI students on a peace building course from the King Prajadhipok's Institute (KPI).
The workshop attended by at least 100 people as part of a peace-building and participation study titled "Multicultural Community Participation in Eco-Industrial Town in Environmental Dimension: A Case Study of Tambon Khu Bang Luang of Lat Lum Kaeo district, Pathum Thani".
The workshop was presided over by Pathum Thani governor Chaiwat Chuenkosum.
Once the plans are completed in next two months, they will be forwarded to the Pathum Thani governor for implementation.
Ms Kanchana said she proposed a trash separation project as she saw it as cheap and easy to implement. It can be designed to separate waste into three types -- metallic, dry and wet waste.
She said another project that should follow is educating locals about garbage and waste water management to ensure minimal risk to the environment and human health.
Legal action may be needed against those who dumped waste, and who release waste water into natural water sources. "I think the plans to deal with garbage and waste water problems for my area will be put into action soon. As a community leader, I'm ready and willing to help persuade other people in the tambon,'' she said.
Wasana Mahamad, a village health volunteer of Moo 3 Ban Khlong Bang Po Nua in tambon Khu Bang Luang, said she too was ready to join hands with all sectors in cleaning up her area.
Ms Wasana proposed a Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (R3) project to change consumer behaviour. "Reduce" means people must reduce the number of purchases.
"Reuse" means people must help reuse items as much as possible before replacing them, and "Recycle" means people must use items again or reuse waste material by converting it into something new, she told the forum.
"The plans can deal effectively with garbage and waste water in my tambon. Many more people are likely to cooperate with us,'' she said.
Tambon Khu Bang Luang has 12 small communities. There are roughly 10,000 people residing in this tambon.
Of them, there are many Thai-Muslim people whose ancestors originally came from the deep South.
Some can still speak the regional dialect (Yawi). There are also ethnic Thai-Mon people whose ancestors originally came from Mon State in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, and Thai-Buddhist people living in this tambon.
There are also 100 factories and 11 canals in the tambon, according to the Khu Bang Luang Tambon Administration Organisation.
The Indistry Ministry has developed eco-industrial towns in 18 areas of 15 provinces to enable them to move toward green manufacturing.
Apart from Pathum Thani, there are still Prachin Buri, Rayong, Songkhla, Ratchaburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Surat Thani, Ayutthaya, Khon Kaen, Chachoengsao, Chon Buri, Nakhon Pathom and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Under the concept of eco-industrial towns, the towns have expanded partnerships and networking with local communities and factories, according to the ministry.
The eco-industrial town project is in line with Thailand's strategies, which focus on "green growth" and the development of environment-friendly industries.
In this regard, the ministry's Department of Industrial Works has launched a project to set up an Eco Town Centre to coordinate operations concerning eco-industries.
It has been sent to various agencies and governors of the provinces where the eco-industrial towns are located.
This ensures they are working in an integrated manner and that communities surrounding the areas will benefit from the project.
One of the targets is to reduce environmental problems and health hazards, according to the ministry.
Eco-industrial towns are based on five development dimensions: physical, economic, environmental, social, and management factors.
A master plan has been mapped out and used as a guideline for industrial zoning nationwide.
The Ministry of Industry has urged factories to attach greater importance to environmental conservation and safety standards and focus more on social responsibility for sustainable development.
Thanapurachate Mano, manager of the logistics department at Patum Vegetable Oil Co Ltd, said his factory in tambon Khu Bang Luang has complied with the eco-industrial town project.
"We listen to the people and are ready to solve problems if there are complaints. We also believe the plans that we are drafting will benefit people and factories in the area,'' he said.