Community Participation in Sustainable Natural Resource Management: A Case Study of Mae Usu Sub-district, Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
The purposes of the research were to 1) investigate and analyze the problems of natural resources management of the community in Mae Usu sub-district, 2) investigate the patterns and factors affecting the community participating in natural resources management, and 3) explore the approaches and patterns of natural resources management appropriately for sustainable development in the community. This research seemed to be qualitative research. Data collection used in the research consisted of secondary source and field data. The informants contained 60 people, and the researcher focused on the methodological triangulation for collecting data. For analyzing data, descriptive writing was used in the research. The findings of the research indicated that: 1) the main problems in natural resource management of Mae Usu sub-district comprised forest encroachment for agriculture, illegal logging, ineffective water resources management, inappropriate land uses affecting, degradation of resources. Moreover, government policies such as reserved forest demarcation and development projects may lead to rights restrictions of the villagers for resource utilization. However, 2) the community played important roles in resources management that gathered together to conserve the forests and develop water resources, to use local wisdom and cooperate with public sector and non-governmental organization. The factors affecting participation consisted of the economic status of the community, support from external agencies, and government policies. 3) The appropriate approaches to sustainable natural resources management should emphasize community participation, land management in a balanced way, natural resource conservation and economic development that should be eco-friendly based on the community-based management or collaboration with the government, community and private sector.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Jirapong, S., & Rojanatrakul, T. (2021). Promote sustainable conservation of forest resources. Journal of Roi Kaensarn Academi, 6(10), 441–458. (In Thai)
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. (2020). Report on the results of the performance summary according to the National Strategy Plan for 2020. Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council Press. (In Thai)
Khotchasila, P. (2018). Development of characteristics of village natural resources and environmental protection volunteers, Trat Province. [Doctoral Dissertation, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage, Pathumthani Province]. (In Thai)
Laplikit, Y. (2025). Maeusu. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre (Public Organization). https://wikicommunity.sac.or.th/community/2748#chck1 (In Thai)
Pretty, J. N. (1995). Participatory learning for sustainable agriculture. World Development, 23(8), 1247–1263. https://doi.org/10.1016/0305-750X(95)00046-F
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A ladder of citizen participation. Journal of the American Institute of Planners, 35(4), 216–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944366908977225
Team Asana. (2025, February 24). Top-down approach vs. bottom-up approach: What’s the difference?. Asana. https://asana.com/resources/top-down-approach
Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge University Press.
Agrawal, A., & Gibson, C. C. (1999). Enchantment and disenchantment: The role of community in natural resource conservation. World Development, 27(4), 629–649. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(98)00161-2
World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Our common future. Oxford University Press.
Suksawas, W. (2021). Quantitative research in political science. Naresuan University.
Pinthapataya, S. (2021). Interviews for qualitative research. Journal of Business and Industrial Development, 1(3), 1. (In Thai)
Boonrod, A., Chuenwong, P., Chantima, K., Suk-n., K., & Pinmongkholgul, S. (2022). Current and desirable conditions in natural resource and environmental management of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Volunteer Network (NEV-Net), Chiang Rai Province. Journal of Buddhist Studies, 13(2), 187–203. (In Thai)
Yokzue, K. (2016). The sustainable natural resource management: Case study Mae Sa-Ngae Village, No. 15, Mae-Ta District, Lumpoon. [Graduate Diploma Thesis, Thammasat University]. (In Thai)
Tatit, A., & Chaiprasit, K. (2021). Public participation in management of natural resources and environment in Wang Sombun District, Sa Kaeo Province. Journal of Digital Business and Social Sciences, 7(2), 162–178. (In Thai)
Poboon, C. (2012). Community participation in natural resource and environmental management. Journal of Environmental and Sustainable Management, 3(1). https://so02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JEM/article/view/31982 (In Thai)
Phookjee, J. (2014). Community participation in the management of conflicts over natural resources: A case study Ban Mai Sa Pae, Pang Moo Sub-district, Mueang District, Mae Hong Sorn Province. [Master’s Thesis, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University]. (In Thai)
Patsin, T. (2020). Local wisdom of utilization and community forest management by people’s participatory at Ban Meakmaiputtana, Nongmeak Subdistrict, Nachuak District, Mahasarakham Province. Udon Thani Rajabhat University Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 9(1), 163–177. (In Thai)
Jiramahapoka, P. (2023). Sustainable community–based tourism management in Rayong Province in the digital era. Journal of Cultural Approach, 24(45), 18–30. (In Thai)
