Guidelines for Utilizing the Community Forest Act to Promote Sustainability: A Case Study of Ban Dong Bang, Nong Bo Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were: (1) to enhance the capacity of community leaders and members by developing accurate knowledge and understanding of the Community Forest Law; (2) to empower community leaders and members to develop practical guidelines for their communities by effectively integrating knowledge of the Community Forest Law into practice; and (3) to analyze the key components of operational guidelines that enable communities to sustainably utilize knowledge of the Community Forest Law.This study employed a mixed-methods approach. The key informants included 25 community leaders and members of Ban Dong Bang, Nong Bo Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through surveys and interviews and analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA).Research Findings 1.Community leaders and members significantly improved their accurate knowledge and understanding of the Community Forest Law. 2. Community leaders and members were able to create context-specific operational guidelines by integrating knowledge of the Community Forest Law into effective future resource management practices. 3. The essential components of operational guidelines that promote the sustainable use of knowledge related to the Community Forest Law comprised: (1) community participation, (2) strong leadership, and (3) education and knowledge dissemination. Discussion The findings highlight that building accurate knowledge and understanding of the Community Forest Law serves as a foundation for guiding communities in managing their own resources. Community participation fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility, while strong leadership is a critical driving force that ensures continuity and collective action. Furthermore, providing education and knowledge to all age groups within the community ensures the transfer of knowledge and the establishment of long-term collective understanding. These results are consistent with international approaches to participatory resource management, which emphasize empowering local people to determine their own development pathways. Recommendations It is recommended that continuous training programs and practical activities be organized to enhance skills and update community members’ knowledge of the Community Forest Law, ensuring responsiveness to changing social and environmental conditions. Government agencies and related organizations should support the establishment of collaborative networks among communities to exchange experiences and develop appropriate practices for each local context. Moreover, integrating knowledge of the Community Forest Law into local educational curricula should be considered, in order to raise awareness among youth from an early stage. Finally, a monitoring and evaluation system should be established to regularly assess community implementation, allowing for the improvement and adaptation of practices in response to economic, social, and environmental changes.