Community Participation in Community Forest Management in Baan Pa Sang Wiwat, Tambon Nanglae, Muang District, Chiang Rai Province

Abstract

The focus of this study is community participation in forest management of Ban Pa Sang Wiwat Community Forest, Nang Lae District, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province. The objectives of this study were: (1) to study participation in management of the community forest in Ban Pa Sangwiwat (2) to study the problems of community-based forest management in Ban Pa Sang Wiwat, and (3) to propose guidelines for management of community forests in Ban Pa Sang Wiwat, Nang Lae Sub-district, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province by utilizing qualitative research methodology. The study indicated that participation in community forest management in Ban Pa Sang Wiwat, Nang Lae Sub-district, Mueang District, Chiang Rai Province includes various ecological activities such as dam building, fire protection, forest and vegetation surveys, creating eco-tourism routes, and reforestation. The problems encountered in community-based forest management include legal restrictions, a lack of theoretical forest management models, and a lack of knowledge and understanding about the laws related to community forests. The research team presented guidelines for the management of Ban Pa Sang Wiwat community forest as follows: 1) Modification of the community forest law in accordance with the current methods of community forest management, 2) Strengthen cooperation between the public sector and local people in order to create a community forest conservation system, 3) Encourage people to follow the theory of forest restoration development in accordance with the royal initiative, and 4) Develop knowledge and understanding about the community forest and the related legislation. The proposed guidelines seek to establish management of the community forest based on a balanced combination of resource conservation and community forest utilization.