Participatory Development of the People in Community Forest Management Model: A Case Study of Baan Tha Pha Pao, Tha Pra Duk Sub-district, Maetha District, Lampun Province

Abstract

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore basic data on people’s participation and development of aparticipatory model as well as to evaluate the outcomes of the people participatory model for communityforest management at Baan Tha Pha Pao, Tha Pra Duk Sub-district, Maetha District, Lampun Province.Data collection was done by using a set of interview schedules from 121 local people, and questionnairesand question paper from 20 forest management leaders group. This study comprised 3 steps: 1) basic datacollection on people’s participation in community forest management and content analysis; 2) developmentof the participatory model by using A-I-C technique and strategies of change with participatory actionresearch; and 3) evaluation of outcomes of people participation development by comparing the outcomesbefore and after development with 30 sample groups. Obtained data were analyzed by using descriptivestatistics and McNemar test for the significance of changes.The results revealed that the local people had a particular level of historical background in forestmanagement. This was done through the dimensions of culture, tradition, ritual ceremonies, and variousbeliefs. It created continual resource conservation activities. As a whole, local people participated in thecommunity forest management at a moderate level (x =3.58). Regarding the participation development at thevalue perception level (A), results of the past forest destruction seriously caused local people to rehabilitatethe forest through various activities. The need to promote and disseminate knowledge and understandingabout benefits of community forests and natural resources to general people and youths is felt. For theinteraction step (I), community had indicated and made a sequence of important future projects for thepromotion of successful community forest management. For the control step (C), local people had participatedin planning and seeking for people with clear responsibility for each project. In terms of the evaluationof the participation development, there were differences before and after participation development inimplementation, benefit sharing, and evaluation but not in decision-making.

Keywords : Community Forest; Community Forest Management; Development of ParticipatoryModel; Participation