IMPROVING THE AIR

A Chiang Mai project to increase public awareness and involvement in air quality improvement has won $7,875 (about B244,125) funding support from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. With this fund, the Urban Development Institute Foundation (UDIF) aims to promote civic involvement in the improvement of the environment, especially air quality. The project will focus on Tambon Ban Waen, Hang Dong District, a community selected by UDIF because of the high number of air pollution complaints submitted to the Region 1 Environmental Office and the Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO).



The project was carried out on Aug 1, 2007 and will continue until July 31 next year. Activities planned under the grant include helping villagers understand the impact of air pollution on health and the economy and what they can do to avoid burning.



In conducting the project, UDIF will partner with the Join Hands/Join Hearts to Improve Chiang Mai and Lamphun Air Quality Project of the Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University. The Foundation also works with the people and Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO) of Ban Waen as well as real estate developers and other businesses in the area.