The Swarovski Waterschool Thailand started in 2016 is one of the program's newest endeavors. Its aim is to increase the capacities and knowledge of local youth on water as a key natural resource on which their community is highly dependent. In the same way, the project will empower the local youth to take action through small initiative projects in order to concretely step into action and contribute to the development of their community.
The drastic development within the last decade of economic activities in the watershed areas in the highland forest areas of Chiang Mai province such as contract farming, mainly for corn, has been a major vehicle of large forest, soil and water quality degradation. The intensive use of pesticides and fertilizers over extended period of times has exposed local populations to extended health problems with dramatic consequences if not closely followed up. Besides, the economic development of the area has also seen an increase of garbage, litter and unauthorized dump, which is currently becoming a new issue in highland area.