Looking back then, Khanom Jeen Canal in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province was once a vibrant reflection of the local community’s way of life. The canal bustled with trade boats, cultural traditions along the banks, and local cuisine rich with native aquatic species that supported more than 25,000 households.
However, as time passed, the water quality in the canal began to deteriorate. Boat navigation became difficult, and aquatic life nearly vanished. Residents could only reminisce about the past.
In 2015, WWF Thailand and WWF Foundation, in collaboration with Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., launched the Youth Water Guardian Project with the straightforward query, “How can we inspire young people to help protect their hometown waterways?” This initiative later gained support from Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University.
Saklee Wittaya School became the first Youth Water Guardian Learning Centre, featuring various knowledge stations. The youth themselves became “young teachers,” sharing the story of the canal with visitors and inspiring them to learn and gain a deeper understanding.
In terms of ecosystem management, conservation, and restoration in Khanom Jeen Canal, WWF Thailand and WWF Foundation have acted as coordinators, facilitators, and providers of technical knowledge — emphasising inclusive participation from all sectors, including government agencies, the private sector, and local communities who rely on the canal. These stakeholders have come together to form a management working group and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among all four subdistricts along the canal to strengthen collaboration and collective commitment. Their joint efforts focus on managing the canal’s water circulation system, regularly removing aquatic weeds through volunteer-driven activities, and conducting ecological restoration. Importantly, local canal users and beneficiaries have actively participated in planting and restoring aquatic vegetation in Khanom Jeen Canal, aiming to generate additional income while improving water quality. To aid in the restoration and enhancement of freshwater biodiversity, they have also collaboratively created seven designated “fish conservation zones” close to homes, temples, and schools, totaling 6 rai and 2 ngan.
As of 2025, the project marks its 10th anniversary — a decade of progress that has brought about tangible change. The water has become clearer, waterway transportation has resumed, and freshwater mussels and fish that once disappeared have begun to return. Even the tiny fireflies, once gone, now illuminate the canal at night. Wildlife that depends on aquatic habitats has also returned to living around the community.
This success is not the result of any one person, but the collective effort of youth, local communities, educational institutions, and the private sector — all working hand in hand to revive the life of this waterway.
Recently, the project was officially recognised as a national pilot area for Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) — marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s freshwater conservation efforts.
Over the past decade, we have witnessed that when young people are given space, tools, and proper support, they can become a powerful force in restoring both the natural environment and the cultural heritage of their communities.
Today, Khanom Jeen Canal is more than just a canal — it is a “living classroom”, where every life in the community learns, grows, and works together to protect it for generations to come.
