The Community Rights of the Natural Resources and Community Forests Management and Utilization

Abstract

Community forest is one of the most important natural resource bases, especially as the source of food resources to communities from the past to the present. Therefore, the forest area should be managed through a process of participation from people and community organizations for the benefit that is consistent with the way of life of all people in the community, both on their livelihoods, Kinship family system, traditions, beliefs, powers and regulations in the community. Community forests are managed in a variety of ways depending on the geospatial and cultural traditions of the local community. This research aimed to analyze the problem of community rights in the management and utilization of natural resources and forests, and to study guidelines for the development of community rights in the management and utilization of natural resources and community forests. This research studied was hold at Ban Dong Yang community, Koeh sub-district, Khueng Nai district, Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Operating by In-depth interviews with
12 key contributors and 10 participants in small group discussions, using a randomized method. The data was analyzed by using content analysis and writing a descriptive narrative. The research results were found that; 1. Management problems include unstructured work, community participation, lack of support from outside agencies, lack of long-term management practices and development plans, and lack of public relations to build knowledge and understanding of community forest areas. However, there were Use rights issue; Abuse of community rights from non-residents, disrespect for community rights in agriculture, illegal logging in
forests, lack of agreement and clear timelines on the right to use community forest resources, community lack of knowledge and understanding in extending the right to use natural resources. 2. Guidelines for the development of community rights in the management and utilization of natural resources and community forests found that (1) the factors of cooperation and strength within the community are community leaders, community forestry committees, community / civil society, children and youth networks, religious institutions, educational institutions. (2) The factors of support and promotion from outside the community are government agencies, local administrative bodies / forest resources management bureaus, private sector / associations / foundations, organization groups and community forest network partners. (3) the conditional factors for success are forest value awareness, community attitudes, community involvement, forest knowledge, sacrifice / volunteering and unity.