RURAL COMMUNITY WATERSHED: ANOTHER APPROACH IN WATERSHED MANAGEMENT FOR THAILAND

Abstract

Concept of rural watershed management proposed herein stem from the fact that the management program which has been proceeded by government for more than 30 years could not meet the prime objective of watershed management. The failure of operation might be due to the government policy concerning this activity has never ever satisfied the rural people, or perhaps a unit area of watershed under control is too large for one or few foresters can handle efficiently. It might be also the ignorance of government to provide the basic needs for rural people in running management actions. Watershed management considering small unit area in terms of village or community watersheds will be a new-promising approach that rural people and government officers can closely and mutually work toward socioeconomic improvement and environmental protection. Integrated management actions in terms of manpowers and nature of works are suggested as strategies to meet such altimate goal. Appropriate technologies and innovation must, however, be considerably introduced to each community and should be compatible with their ways of life and knowledge capability.