The Local People’s Participation in Ecotourism Management: A Case Study of Kiu Lom Dam, Lampang Province

Abstract

The objectives of this qualitative research were 1) to study ecotourism activities of Kiu Lom Dam, Lampang province; and 2) to investigate the local people’s participation in ecotourism management of Kiu Lom Dam, Lampang province. The in-depth interview was used as a research instrument for data collection from two groups of key informants, namely officials at the Royal Irrigation Department and 20 local people. The data collection was analyzed by content analysis. The results of this study indicated the ecotourism activities of Kiu Lom Dam consisted of 3 activities including rafting, fishing, and climbing activities. 1)  Local people’s  participation in ecotourism management was considered. Local people participated in the ecotourism management of Kiu Lom Dam in all 4 areas, namely the decision-making of local people who took part in planning and management for ecotourism around dam; 2) Project implementation of local people was cooperated in projects of government agencies in all dimensions, including projects related to tourism management or environmental development within tourism areas; 3) Benefit of local people was received for tourism activities around dam and water for agriculture; and 4) Assessment of tourism activities would be responded and assessed by government agencies such as the Royal Irrigation Department and the Treasury Department. In additional, local people’s duty has been attending and presenting their opinions through the implementation of government projects.