People Participation Development and Management of Phu Phaman National Park

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the participation patterns and assess the results from the Pilot Project on Participation Development for Phu Phaman National Park Management. Litera-ture reviews and interviews of 261 sample households located in the project areas were conducted. The statistical analysis method using for the data analysis was percentage. This project was initiated by the govemment organization to solve conflict on the national park management by people participation approach. This participation pattern was so-called the participation by persuasion. They comprised 19 activities of which 74% were persuaded directly to the individual and the rest were persuaded to leader group and to the household representatives, respectively. The participation process was analyzed. Only one-fourth of the activities were imple-mented all of the participation process, step 1 information communication, step 2 problem analysis and planning, step 3 implementation, and step 4 monitoring and evaluation. It was found from the survey that 63% of the respondents participated in step 1, 53%, 39% and 23% participated in step 2, step 3, and step 4, respectively. Assessment of the results from the project revealed that 1) Social and security: all of the communities have established the community based organizations (CBOs) and drafted a regulation for resource utilization and were accepted by 80% of the respondents. For the administration of CBOs, 85% of the respondents viewed that they have capable resource person, 14% viewed that they have enough budget and materials.  2) Economic conditions and quality of life: 56% of the respondents had a better life quality, 56% had more opportunity to earn income from other sources, 72% indicated that they feel more secured regarding the land tenure. But only 3% considered that the project contributed the income increase 3) Natural resource and environment: 33% practiced organic farming to conserve nature and environment, 78% practiced environmental improvement activity: 56% constructed check dam for soil and water conservation, 90% did not change their land tenure. and 89% joined forest restoration activities.

Keywords: Development, Participation process, Management, Phu Phaman National Park