Join me on my mission to harmonise community sustainability and freshwater conservation and in protecting nature by supporting a community-based stewardship in the Dongjiang basin. As the major water source for over 40 million people in the basin and Hong Kong, the Dongjiang river’s health is critical to the sustainable development of the region. With growing population and pollution, water security is being challenged and the freshwater ecosystem degrading. Meanwhile, local communities in the upstream water source areas have been scarifying development opportunities cost water resource conservation. Within a favourable policy environment which prioritises ecological civilisation, there is an urgent need and good opportunity to promote community-based stewardship in important water source areas for the benefit of both local communities and regional water security. The project proposed aims to harmonise community sustainability and freshwater conservation through demonstrating community-based stewardship in rural water source areas of the Dongjiang basin. The ultimate goal is to safeguard Dongjiang freshwater ecosystem health for regional sustainable development.

Output 1. A small-scale constructed wetland to treat domestic sewage is demonstrated.

Constructed wetland is featured with stable performance in domestic sewage purification, low cost for construction and maintenance, and flexibility in location and size. It has been demonstrated one of the most suitable wastewater treatment techniques for scattered rural communities. The project is to build a small-scale constructed wetland to treat wastewater for a farmhouse restaurant or a small cluster of households in a selected village.

 Key activities

• Community investigation and engagement. Conduct environmental-social-economic studies of targeted villages. Consult local stakeholders and gain local support for the project.

• Design of constructed wetlands.

• Construction of Wetlands and supporting facilities.

• Monitor performance of the constructed wetland.

• Maintain effective operation of the constructed wetland.

   

  Output 2. Local community is educated and engaged in water stewardship

   

  Through a participatory approach, this output is designed to raise awareness of the targeted community, foster local capacity to maintain water environment and educate people. In the process, supports from the civil society and private sector are to be leveraged through volunteering activities based on needs of the project.

   

  Key activities

• Conduct environmental education and promote the idea of water conservation in targeted community;

• Train and compensate selected villagers to build, monitor and maintain the constructed wetland;

• Engage and train volunteer environmental educator in the community.

• Initiate a volunteering program with corporate partner to investigate and analysis environmental-social-economic status of targeted villages.

Although budget is limited, the project will seek opportunities to utilize existing public utilities of the village and create a multi-functional space for residents and visitors. If established, this common space will serve as an environmental education center for visitors, a common leisure space for villagers, and a library for school kids.

4. Cost