GUIDELINES FOR DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY FOREST CHARTER IN BAN SANG SUBDISTRICT, MUEANG DISTRICT, PHAYAO PROVINCE

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to 1) study community forest management, 2) study the problems of community forest use, and 3) propose guidelines for drafting a community forest charter in Ban Sang Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phayao Province. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 17 key informants selected using purposive sampling, including the subdistrict head, village heads, and local residents. The research instrument used was a semi-structured interview guide, and data was analyzed using content analysis.

The research findings revealed: 1. Community forest management requires comprehensive baseline data collection, emphasizing local participation, raising awareness, and enforcing laws and policies conducive to conservation and sustainable use. 2. Problems: Two main problems were identified: (1) a lack of understanding of Forestry Department regulations, resulting in unsustainable forest use, and (2) a shortage of government funding, a significant obstacle to management. 3. Guidelines for drafting a community forest charter include: (1) promoting community participation at every stage to create legitimacy, (2) clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of members for systematic implementation, (3) providing training to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders, and (4) establishing control and supervision measures through cooperation between the community and government agencies. To achieve efficient and sustainable resource management.