Thailand
FOOD
FROM
THE
RIVER
Revitalize diversity in the Nam Phong Basin, Dan Sai District, Loei Province
"There are many varieties of local fish in Mae Nam Pung. as a food source during the dry season But there are problems with chemicals that flow into water sources, making them a risk to ecosystems in the stream. The erosion of the river bank also affects the habitat of fish and other aquatic animals.”
Nam Phung Valley, Phetchabun-Loei Mountains
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The Nam Phong Basin is a sub-basin, the second part of the Pa Sak River Basin. The Nam Phong basin is important in the watershed. in which the ecosystem has a small river like capillary blood that feeds many springs including Huai Chanang Ngu, Huai Tong Huay Lat Huai Kok Mao Huai Nam Mee Huai Dong Thip, Huai Thung Thung, Huai Khom Pla Wai Huay Ngaed Huai Pong Huai Pong Bong Huai Kha Kai, therefore, with the ecological characteristics of small streams that are densely distributed Therefore, there is a biodiversity of plant species. animals and a variety of forests
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Especially the diversity of aquatic animals and plants along the waterfront are all food sources for people on both sides of the Mae Nam Phung. for a long time But there are many threats from the monoculture sector and a lack of sustainable ecosystem stewardship.
The diversity of aquatic life and flora along the river is the source of food for people on both sides of the river. for a long time But there are many threats from the monoculture sector and a lack of sustainable ecosystem stewardship.
A variety of flavors from the spring water.
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Phung River has a great variety of fish species. In the fishing season in April, villagers catch fish using traditional fishing gear. Do not use bombs or electric shocks. This will reduce the small fish species that are in the food chain. The monoculture model also poses a threat to both the habitat and water quality of Mae Nam Phung. The amount of chemicals that flow into rivers during the rainy season poses a risk of harmful contamination to both fish and water users. including trees that are sensitive to chemicals such as durian. Bottles of insecticidal herbicide filled the river. Some people put it on the edge of the creek when mixing water to spray in the farm. Some people just threw them into the river," said Father Wise, referring to the problem of dumping chemical bottles into water sources.
taste from river
Fish, shrimp, crabs, clams, strange looking, with different names in their dialects, are placed on a simple kitchen table. to prepare to be cooked as food A firewood stove and a cauldron are ready next to it. Both bullfish, crayfish, river crabs and other fish are boiled together with a variety of local vegetables. And the highlight of the bowl is the bitter-sweet "bekang" flowers, which are only eaten once a year during the winter.
one of the locals' meals They often tell a clear story about fertility and food security. maintaining the integrity of diverse ecosystems Make the food source stable as well. A culture that relies on nature could be the answer to sustainable living in the future. Besides the economy We also have to look at physical health, mental health, cultural way along with development.
Looking at the picture of the relationship of livelihood among the villagers in the Nam Phung Basin by relying on nature, then saw a concrete development path. It is a new challenge and hope to continue to expand the scope of development to restore ecosystem services while continuing to generate sustainable income and food sources in neighboring and other areas in Thailand.
