The Guidelines to Participative Problem Solving on Water Hyacinth of the Theppharat Sub-district Community, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province

Abstract

         The present research, entitled “The Guidelines to Participative Problem Solving on Water Hyacinth of the Theppharat Sub-district Community, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province”, was a qualitative research.  The instruments used for research were questions for interview and issues for focus group.  The key informants were Mayor, Municipal Clerk, community leaders and local people.

         The findings revealed that 1. the situation of water hyacinth problem was recurrent and annually occurred.  The situation could be classified into five periods: For the first period, it started from January – February.  The quantity of water hyacinth was densely concentrated, causing a rotten and polluted condition of the river; it needed for disposal management. For the second period, it started from March – April.  The quantity of hyacinth was not much because of disposal.  For the third period, it started from May – June.  Water hyacinth was densely concentrated because of its growth and carrying from the water source.  By this, it needed for disposal management.  For the fourth period, it started from July – October.  The quantity of water hyacinth was not much in rainy season because of the high-water level and torrential flow, causing a natural beating off to the sea. For the fifth period, it started from November - December.  The water hyacinth was growing and caused to the first period crisis. 

1. For the effects of water hyacinth toward people, it was found that its effects could be seen into many aspects like 1) scenery, 2) ways of life and living, and 3) environment. 


2. For the guidelines on solving the water hyacinth problems of Theppharat Sub-district Municipality, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province, it was found that the sustainable problem solving was comprised of 1) to add value to water hyacinth for sustainable problem solving 2) to set up an integrated mechanism among relevant agencies responsible in the initial, middle, and final processes 3) to cooperate between public sectors and people 4) To dispose with herbicide and boats for water hyacinth disposal. By this, the problem solving guidelines were limited in three main issues:                                 1) clarity for relevant agencies responsible for problem solving 2) Rules and regulations promulgated by the authority and 3) Discontinuity on mission for problem solving.