June 18, 2025…Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. has announced the successful advancement of its “Nestlé Waters Cares for Water” project by Nestlé Pure Life to an international biodiversity conservation standard. Recently, the project was officially selected as a pilot site for the implementation of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) for terrestrial and inland water areas in Thailand. For the past 10 years, Nestlé has led initiatives that promote learning and community participation in protecting and restoring Khanom Jeen canal in Ayutthaya province.
Salinla Seehaphan, Corporate Affairs Director, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. said, “Under Nestlé’s core strategy of ‘Good for You’ and ‘Good for the Planet,’ we consistently integrate sustainability into every aspect of our operations with the goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. We received the support from the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) for our “Nestlé Waters Cares for Water” project in the area of Khanom Jeen canal in Ayutthaya province to be selected as a pilot area for the OECMs project this time. This reflects our first major milestone in elevating biodiversity conservation and promoting environmental sustainability. This recognition moves Nestlé forward in our mission to expand biodiversity conservation beyond protected areas, ultimately resulting in meaningful changes towards a better and more sustainable planet.”
Dr. Chayanan Pakdeejit, Secretary General of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), said, “ONEP is firmly dedicated to supporting the conservation and regeneration of biodiversity in terrestrial areas and inland water resources, with the goal of achieving tangible and lasting sustainability. Initiatives by the private sector, such as Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., to elevate the area of Khanom Jeen canal as a pilot site for OECMs under international standards highlight the outstanding success of the “Nestlé Waters Cares for Water” project. Focused on protecting biodiversity, the project ensures comprehensive water resource management, empowering local communities through knowledge sharing and actively restoring the natural environment.”
The Nestlé Waters Cares for Water project is a sustainability initiative that the company has relentlessly pursued for the past decade at the Khanom Jeen canal in Ayutthaya province. The project’s comprehensive approach integrates three pillars: Educate, Prevent, and Restore. It promotes education and awareness about sustainable water resource management, such as preventing waste from entering waterways through the Community Waste Market activities that turns waste into income and restores aquatic ecosystems by enhancing biodiversity.
For example, the project has created conservation ponds for rare native fish species such as Armed Spiny Eel, Spotted Spiny Eel, Whisker Sheatfish and Indian Loach. Another activity is planting edible aquatic plants, including Water Caltrops, Water Primrose, Water Lily and Water Mimosa, that locals can consume or sell. Additionally, the project promotes sustainable livelihoods among community members by encouraging them to remove invasive water hyacinths from local waterways, dry them, and weave them into handmade bags. This helps the villagers generate more income.
Over the years, Nestlé has worked closely with key partners from both the public and private sectors, including the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the Royal Irrigation Department, the Department of Fisheries, WWF Thailand, Wongpanit, and Phranakhon Si Ayutthaya Rajabhat University, to promote biodiversity conservation and ensure a sustainable environment for generations to come.
The Nestlé Waters Cares for Water project continues to support ONEP in driving Thailand’s biodiversity goals under the 30×30 OECMs policy. Nestlé recently celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity with an engaging event to promote learning and community involvement in biodiversity conservation and regeneration. It featured a display highlighting both the theoretical and practical aspects of the Nestlé Waters Cares for Water project, along with hands-on workshops under the “Play and Learn” concept.
Participants will create keychains using colorful beads recycled from bottle caps and decorate them with dragonfly or woven fish made from water hyacinth. Highlighting the connection between communities and natural resources, the workshop demonstrated how creative reuse can transform waste into valuable items. Ultimately, it promoted positive attitudes towards sustainable practices and contributing to the long-term conservation of Thailand’s biodiversity.
