Community Forest Management of Ban Tharapa, Salalumduan Sub - District, Mueang Sa Kaeo District, Sa Kaeo Province.

Abstract

                This research aimed to study (1) the socioeconomic statuses of the people who lived in Ban Tharapa, Salalumduan Sub-district, Mueang Sa Kaeo District, Sa Kaeo Province, (2) the participation and satisfaction of the people to the community forest management, (3)the evaluation of success in the management, (4) problems, obstacles and suggestions regarding to the management, and (5) to establish the guidelines for an efficient community forest management.

                This study was a survey research. The collected data were divided into two parts: quantitative and qualitative data. (1) For the quantitative data, the population was 176 households in Ban Tharapa, using an interviewing method. This part of the data was statistically analyzed to find frequency, percentage, and mean. The rating scale was also used to evaluate the success of the community forest management. (2) The qualitative data, were collected by a focus group of 9 key informants, which included stakeholders and certain individuals with experiences in the community forest management. This part of the data was analyzed using the CIPP Model.

                The results showed that (1) most people within the studied area had an average age range of 61 years or above (38.07%), had the highest education at the primary school level (51.13%), and had farming as an occupation (39.77%). (2) Before the establishment of the community forest, it was found that the people had the lowest levels of participation and satisfaction (averagely at 1.03). However, after the community forest was established, the levels of participation and satisfaction were increased to the average and high levels, respectively (averagely at 3.03 and 3.35).(3) The success of the community forest management was evaluated to be at the average level. Moreover, the strengths of the management were that the local community had trust in the management committees; there were funds from religious activities; and there were communications through the community radio and public broadcasting. The weaknesses were that people lacked the understanding of basic knowledge and processes in the community forest management; the community lacked ways in passing down the knowledge to the young or new generation within the area; and there were some limitations in gaining benefits from the community forest. (4) The problems and obstacles found within the management were mostly involved with funds/operational costs and floods. The suggestions were that the community had to have an exchange of knowledge with other community forests or other related networks as well as had to find ways in passing down the knowledge to the young or new generation. (5) The guidelines for an efficient community forest management were that there should be a proper revision in the community rules; there should be a concrete rule enforcement within the community; and the benefits from land usage within the community should be clearly divided.