Participatory Mechanisms of Social Partners in Addressing Forest Fire Haze Pollution: A Case Study of Ban Nong Tao, Mae Win Subdistrict, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This study aimed to: (1) examine the spatial context and analyze the problems and conditions associated with wildfire haze and particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution in Nong Tao Village, Mae Win Subdistrict, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province; and (2) investigate the participatory mechanisms of social partnerships in addressing wildfire haze and PM2.5 pollution in Nong Tao Village, Mae Win Subdistrict, Mae Wang District, Chiang Mai Province. The study employed a qualitative research methodology based on the Community-Based Research (CBR) framework. A total of 50 key informants were purposively selected, comprising 10 representatives from policy and governmental agencies, 10 community leaders, 20 local residents and field practitioners, and 10 external stakeholders. Data were collected through document review, in-depth interviews, participant observation, and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using content analysis and descriptive analysis. The credibility and trustworthiness of the findings were ensured through triangulation.       

The findings revealed that Nong Tao Community is a highland rural community whose local economy largely depends on agriculture and forest resources. The community is situated within an area characterized by overlapping legal and administrative jurisdictions, including a national reserved forest, community forest areas, and land allocated under the Community Land Title Program (CLT). Such institutional and structural complexities have generated constraints related to authority, law enforcement, and interagency coordination in land and wildfire management. These challenges have contributed to persistent uncertainty and ambiguity in addressing wildfire haze and PM2.5 pollution. Furthermore, the study found that the key to effectively addressing wildfire haze and PM2.5 pollution lies in the development of participatory social partnership mechanisms, which constitute the cornerstone of sustainable environmental governance and problem-solving. The essential components of these mechanisms include: (1) establishing shared goals, (2) defining roles and responsibilities, (3) communication and information exchange, (4) joint decision-making, (5) collaborative implementation, (6) incentive creation and support mechanisms, and (7) monitoring, evaluation, and reflective learning. These components collectively strengthen collaborative governance capacity among stakeholders and contribute to the sustainable management of wildfire haze and air pollution at the community level.