Utilization of Non-Timber Forest Products by the Local Communities around Phu Laen Kha National Park, Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

                This study aims to determine the socio-economic condition and utilization of the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) by the local communities living around Phu Laen-Kha national park. By using an interview schedule as a tool for interviewing the leader of a household or their representative. Data was collected from 400 households. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to evaluate the general socio-economic condition, interm quantity of NTFPs utilization, and valuation as per the market price.

                Findings of the study indicated that 56.75 percent of the population was males with an average age of 52.23 years, with most of them being graduated from elementary school, and an average household consisting of 5 members. Their main occupation was agriculture (working in a paddy field) with an average annual income and expenditure between 50,000-100,000 Baht per household. Most of the people owned land outside the Phu Laen Kha national park and had a very good level of understanding about forest conservation. The 71 surveyed villages utilized NTFPs which can be placed into 8 groups namely bamboo shoots, mushroom, vegetables, bamboo culm, medicinal herbs, insect, rattan, and others, about 219 units per village per year, with Pak Huai Dua village having the highest utilization of 776 units per village per year. The net total utilization value was estimated at 183,593,362 Baht per year with the Ban Mai Huai Kon Ta village having the highest utilization value estimated at 8,126,610 Baht per year.