The Participation of the Community to Reduce Elephas Maximus Encroachment in Tumbon Thapchang, SoiDao District Chanthaburi

Abstract

The objective of this research was to examine the participation between community and government officers ; and collected feedback from community and government officers to solve the elephas maximus problem by invading habitats and agricultural areas of villagers in Tumbon Thapchang, SoiDao District Chanthaburi. The study was a quantitative research and collection of data by literature review, interviewed, focus group discussion and data was analyzed using content analysis. The  results of the study were as follows :

            Step 1 A Meeting Between Villagers, Forestry Officers and Rangers. The village headman was a leader of the meeting and he sent the meeting invitation letters to villagers who had a census in the area, forestry officers and rangers to join the meeting for discussing and exchanging about knowledge and  how to solve the elephas maximus problem

            Step 2 Applied the Method and Knowledge From the Meeting. The implementation were short-term plan and long-term plan together. Long-term plan was about growing plants that elephants loved to eat. The villagers gave cooperation for planting in the forest to create food sources for elephants as well and have the specialist to advised about plants that elephants loved to eat. Short-term plan was to build a tower for explore elephants when they  invaded into the area. Then mobilized villagers, rangers and forestry officers. The most of all was the villagers they helped to expel the elephants. The way to expel was making a loud noise such as firecrackers, bombs, etc., so the elephants will panic and escaped into the forest. The other way was to lighting

               Villager, forestry officers and rangers given suggestions on how to solve the elephas maximus problem were as follows.

1. Reforestation to became a food source that was sufficient for the elephas maximus need.


2. Creating a strong steel panel to protect the elephas maximus entering in the community.


3. Excavation of a wide and deep canal to prevent the elephas maximus in to the agricultural areas of the villagers.

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