22 The contribution of community forestry to rural livelihood in Thailand - Chudchawan Sutthisrisilapa^[30]

ABSTRACT

Community forestry has been seen mainly as a means for regenerating and protecting forests in the remote areas and providing for the forest-based subsistence needs of the villagers. This has been broadened to also consider community forestry as a source of income and employment for rural communities. This paper presents a promising example of community forestry in Thailand under the project of one-village-one-product using the case of Baan Mae Kampong village, located in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand. The paper also discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints for ecotourism through community forestry.

INTRODUCTION

The Kingdom of Thailand has a total area of 513 115 km² or 320 696 882 rais. The population (in 2002) totalled 62 799 872 with an annual growth rate of 1.1 percent. The population density is 118 km^-2. Administratively, it is divided into five regions, viz. the Northern, the Northeastern, the Central, the Eastern and the Southern Regions, 76 provinces (chang wad) and 716 districts (amphoe). The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, is located in the Central Region.

In Thailand, community forestry has been practised and developed for a long time in the three typical community conditions: the community in agricultural areas, the community around the forests, and the community within the forests. The objectives of these communities differ from each other due to their cultures and local traditions in conserving forests as water, food and fuelwood resources. Ganjanapan and Ganjanapan (1990) reported a study on about 150 cases of locally initiated community-protected forests in northern Thailand. Community forestry in northern Thailand has a long history embedded in the culture of the region, which used to be an independent political entity. The concept was introduced early in the reign of King Mangrai, who became the first king of Chiang Mai in the late 13th century. The law known as Mangraiyasatra stated that the violation of "sacred forests" was an offense. Sacred forests are commonly found in the upper watersheds of communities that believe in phi khun nam, spirits regarded as the protector of watershed forests. This belief system provides an underlying morality for the management of resources essential for the type of farming systems existing in the north (Ganjanapan 1991).

In 1961, the total forest area of Thailand was about 171 million rais or 53.3 percent of the country’s total land area. Since then, the forests have been encroached by slash-and-burn shifting cultivation, land resettlement, dam and road construction, land reform for agriculture, and have declined to 81.0 million rais or 25.28 percent of the country’s area in 1998 (Table 1). The National Forest Policy dated 3 December 1985 stated that the forest cover of the country should be maintained at 40 percent of the country’s area or 128 million rais. This means that the government, i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has to try to increase the forest area by 47 million rais of forest areas to meet the said target. The reforestation scheme will probably be done by government agencies such as the Royal Forest Department (RFD), National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, Forest Industry Organization (FIO) and Thai Plywood Company (TPC), as well as the private sectors under the 8th and 9th National Economic and Social Development Plans. In these plans, community forestry has been included in order that the efficient conservation and development of forest resources will be conducted in cooperation with the local people. In general, the objective of the community forestry programme is to encourage the involvement of local people in all steps of the implementation.

Figure 1. Map of Thailand

Table 1. Forest cover, 1961-1998

Source: Jaruphathana (2000).

FORESTS

There are two main types of forest in Thailand, the evergreen forest and the deciduous forest. The evergreen forest is subdivided into the tropical evergreen forest, the pine forest, the mangrove forest and the beach forest.

Tropical evergreen forest

The tropical evergreen forest occurs all over the moist parts of the country. This type of forest is further subdivided into the tropical rain forest, the semi-evergreen forest and the hill evergreen forest. The tropical rain forest is characterized by a very rich flora diversification and very dense undergrowth. This type of forest is commonly found in the Southern and the Eastern Regions, where rainfall is above 2000 mm. It is also found along rivers and/or in valleys in other parts of the country. The predominant species (the top-storey species) are Dipterocarpus spp., Hopea spp., Lagerstroemia spp. and Shorea spp., whereas the lower-storey species are bamboos, palms and rattans. The semi-evergreen forest is scattered all over the country where the rainfall is 1000-2000 mm. The predominant species are Dipterocarpus spp., Hopea spp., Diospyros spp., Afzelia spp., Terminalia spp. and Arthocarpus spp. The main undergrowth species consist of bamboos and rattans. The hill evergreen forest is found on the highlands (1000 m above sea-level) of the country where the climatic condition is the humid subtropical type. The presence of mosses and lichens on trees and rocks is the indicator of this forest type. The predominant species are oaks and chestnuts, for example Castanopsis spp., Quercus spp. and Lithocarpus spp.

Pine forest

There are two species of tropical pines in Thailand. They are Pinus merkusii, locally called son song bi (the two-needle pine) and Pinus kesiya, locally called son sam bi (the three-needle pine). Pinus merkusii is found in the Northern and the Northeastern Regions and the western part of the Central Region, where the soil is poor (gravel) lateritic and podzolic. Pinus kesiya is found only on the highlands of the Northern and Northeastern Regions.

Mangrove and beach forests

Mangrove and beach forests occur along the coastal areas of the Eastern, Central and Southern Regions. The mangrove forest is scattered along the estuaries of rivers and sea-shores where the soil is muddy and influenced by the tide. The predominant species are Rhizophora spp., Xylocarpus spp., Avecennia spp., Bruguiera spp. and Nypa spp. The beach forest occurs along the sandy coastal plains especially in the eastern coast of the Southern Region. The main species in this type of forest are Diospyros spp., Croton spp., Lagerstroemia spp. and Casuarina spp.

Deciduous forest

The deciduous forest, which is characterized by the presence of deciduous tree species, is commonly found throughout the country. It is broadly subdivided according to the species composition into mixed deciduous forest (with and without teak) and dry dipterocarp forest. The mixed deciduous forest is commercially one of the most valuable forests of Thailand. In the Northern Region, this type of forest is characterized by teak (Tectona grandis), Xylia kerrii, Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Afzelia xylocarpa and Dalbergia spp. (rose wood). The dry dipterocarp forest is commonly found in the dry area (rainfall below 1000 mm), where the soil condition is infertile and sandy or gravelly lateritic soil. The predominant species are mainly in the family of Dipterocarpaceae such as Dipterocarpus tuberculatus, D. obtusifolius, Shorea obtusa and S. siamensis with the presence of other species such as Dalbergia spp., Lagerstroemia spp. and Terminalia spp. Table 2 shows existing the forest cover by region in Thailand.

Table 2. Forest cover in 1998 by region

Source: Jaruphathana (2000).

COUNTRY’S POLICIES ON COMMUNITY FORESTRY

• The National Forest Policy of 3 December 1985, item 12: "To develop forestry by the promotion of private reforestation and state plantations for domestic and industrial uses, and help export wood to foreign countries; of community forest establishment; of tree-growing on government land; of tree planting on paddy dikes; or small-scale plantation for home consumption."

• Government Policy under the 5th, 6th and 7th National Economic and Social Development Plans: "To prepare the guidelines and measures of Natural Resource Management and Administration by the induction of the local people to participate in the management and administration of forest resources and to expedite the office concerned in the enactment of Community Forestry Bill B.E. ...."

• Chuan’s Government Policy on the management of forest resources and environment presented to the Parliament on 21 October 1992, item 4.8.2: "To conserve forest resources, inland forests and mangrove forests, and to help support the local people and local organization to take part in forest conservation and community forestry establishment."

• Banharn’s Government Policy on the Natural Resources and Environment presented to the Parliament on 13 July 1995, item 7.1: "To expedite the enactment of Community Forestry Bill ..." in order to offer the people and people’s organizations opportunity to take part in the planting, maintenance, protection and utilization of the community forests.

• General Chauvalit’s Government Policy on natural resources and encroachment stated to the Parliament on 11 December 1996, item 8: "Government intends to rehabilitate, conserve and develop natural resources and environment to a better situation through:

  - The amendment of all forestry laws and the acceleration of Community Forestry Act enactment in order to help support the people living in the forest peacefully and synergically.

  - The suppression of encroachment and illegal logging operation and protection of conserved forests, watershed areas, mangrove forests and the rehabilitation of degraded natural resources."

• Chuan’s Government Policy addressed to the Parliament on 20 November 1997, item 2.7: "Management of natural resources and environment:

  - To promote the conservation and rehabilitation of forest resources, inland forests and mangrove forest and to help support the local people and local organizations to take part in forest conservation and community forest establishment, as well as to apply law enforcement strictly for protection of forests and suppression of illegal cutting."

• Police Lt Colonel Dr. Taksin’s Government Policy on natural resources and environment presented to the Parliament on 26 February 2001.

The government has a policy on the restoration of condition and quality, protection from degradation and loss of natural resources and biodiversity, and the renewability of these for reuse in order to support the sustainable socio-economic development of the country,

• To integrate the administration and management of the environment, natural resources and biodiversity by applying good governance and the participation of the people and local community.

• To support research and development of technology in order to increase the country’s capacity for management, administration, conservation and restoration of the environment and the utilization of the natural resources including the recycling of used materials.

ONE-TUMBON (VILLAGE)-ONE-PRODUCT PROJECT

During the last economic crisis, people at all levels suffered in one way or another. The biggest problem that still plagues a large proportion of the Thai population, who are low-income grass-root villagers, is poverty. As part of the government’s war on poverty, the One-Tumbon-One-Product or OTOP project was created. The government formulated the Prime Minister Office Regulation on One-Tumbon-One-Product National Steering Committee B.E. 2544 (2001), which was issued on 7 September 2001. The Prime Minister appointed the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Pongpol Ardireksarn, as the Chairman of the Committee. The said Committee has the authority to formulate policy, strategy and master plan in the implementation of the One-Tumbon-One-Product project. Furthermore, the Committee specifies the standard and criteria in the selection and registration of outstanding tumbon products, as well as in helping support the efficient operation with regard to the policy, strategy and master plan. OTOP has encouraged rural communities to depend on themselves through income-producing local products and local resources. OTOP products are now exported.

OTOP is considered a way to create prosperity for the community in the upgrading of rural livelihood through producing or managing local resources that are turned to value-added products. It is also prominent as a symbol in accordance with local culture. The product can be sold in the domestic and international markets with emphasis on the following three basic principles:

• local yet global

• self-reliance - creativity

• human resource development

A product does not mean only the good itself, but also involves the process of thinking about the services, maintenance and conservation of natural resources and environment, local wisdom, tourism, arts or good culture, tradition, and learning. In other words, a product that has good quality will be well known all over the country and the world.

The implementation of the OTOP project has the following objectives:

• to create job opportunities and income generation for the community;

• to enable the community to think and work by themselves;

• to promote local wisdom;

• to promote human resource development; and

• to promote initiative on the part of the community to develop products in accordance with their livelihoods and local cultures.

BAAN MAE KAMPONG

The small village of Baan Mae Kampong is situated up in the mountains at 1300 m above sea-level, in Tumbon Hauy Kaew, Mae Orn District, Chiang Mai Province. The villagers used to travel from the nearby Doi Sa Ked District to collect jungle tea as their main source of income. Later on, they migrated from Doi Sa Ket District and settled down in this area. In Baan Mae Kampong village, there is a bubbling waterfall cascading down the mountainside on both sides of the village, providing villagers and visitors with a breathtaking view. Moreover, there are plants with reddish yellow flowers, growing near the bank along the border of the village called "kampong flower". The word "mae" means "river or stream" so the villagers call this village "Baan Mae Kampong". Presently, Baan Mae Kampong with 130 households and a total population of 415 persons covers an area of 6 km² or 3750 rais. The homelots occupy 65 rais while the remaining area is evergreen forest.

Baan Mae Kampong is situated approximately 50 km from Chiang Mai, about one hour’s drive east on Highway 1317, past Sankampaeng District, through some stunning scenery. An alternative route to the village is to drive along Highway 118 towards Chiang Rai before turning right at Pongdin intersection after about 50 km. Baan Mae Kampong community forestry is practised in the Mae Orn National Forest Reserve.

NATURAL RESOURCES

Presently, an area of 5.9 km² or 3685 rais at Baan Mae Kampong is covered by evergreen forest with indigenous tree species such yang na (Dipterocarpus alatus), yang laung (Dipterocarpus spp.), yang daeng (D. turbinatus), champa (Michellia champaca), Thai sakura (Betula alnoides), toom ten (Duabanga grandiflora) and ta lo (Schima wallichii). The said forest can be divided into two portions. The dense evergreen forest covers an area of 1842.5 rais, while the sparse forest occupies land of the same area where the villagers grow jungle tea and coffee for their regular income. The young tea leaves are used to make tea whereas the older leaves of the plant are fermented for miang, a chewing snack popular since the day of ancient Lanna. In addition, non-timber forest products and medicinal plants like edible mushrooms, leaves and cinnamon (Cinamomum bejolghota) are available in the forest. NTFPs, medicinal plants and fruits are collected by the villagers for their home consumption and the surplus sold at the market or given to their relatives.

There is a beautiful waterfall in Baan Mae Kampong. In 1983, His Majesty the King paid a visit to this area. His Majesty suggested that the village produce its own hydroelectricity from the local stream and waterfall. The people heeded the King’s advice and now the village’s main source of income is the sale of electricity to other villages further down the mountain.

ECOTOURISM

About two years ago (December 2000), the paw luang or poo-yai baan (village head) encouraged the villagers to subsidize their incomes even further by offering visitors the chance to enjoy a long-stay programme. The basic package includes two days and one night in an adorable cottage and three meals for 1000 baht. The visitors are usually brought in by cooperating tour companies. With an average temperature of 10-18 °C throughout the year, refreshing breezes provide a welcome respite from the heat of Chiang Mai. With the cool air and the tranquil sound of the flowing stream and gushing waterfall, it is not hard to see why people are perfectly happy to spend a few nights in this Shangri-La setting.

Besides hiking and sightseeing in the gorgeous surroundings, visitors can now choose from a variety of activities and treatments. A village cooperative massage centre has been established by the Department of Labour. Sauna facilities are also on offer as well as the chance to sample the local arabica coffee, tea and healthy herbal juices. The opportunities to enjoy a Thai traditional welcoming ceremony, baisi sukwan, northern Thai performing arts and northern Thai music performance are also additional options. The nearby handicraft village of San Kampaeng and the hot springs are worth a visit if you are in the area.

SWOT ANALYSIS

As mentioned above, ecotourism has been in opration since December 2000; it is thus timely to conduct an SWOT analysis on this project.

Strengths

• Baan Mae Kampong villagers’ livelihood, specially based on jungle tea cultivation as the main occupation, is quite different from that of other villages.

• The cool air throughout the year, the simple life of the villagers and their friendliness attract visitors.

• The unique nature, waterfall and stream flowing around the village are conducive to tourism.

• The villagers have a sense of pride and belonging in their natural environment, which they well preserve and encourage tourists to do likewise.

• The community still maintains its original character.

• The villagers are keen to improve their economic status.

Weaknesses

• There are only 13 households that can accommodate 60 tourists each time.

• The guides are male villagers, with little knowledge of nature and the local culture, and only secondary education, untrained in tourism and English.

Opportunities

• The reputation of the village with its beautiful nature and symbolic culture will be spread to other places.

Threats

• The Baan Mae Kampong community is small and the possibility to increase the accommodations for tourists is limited.

CONCLUSION

The village of Baan Mae Kampong provides a fine example of ecotourism. Its home-stay project has successfully been used to promote environmental understanding and educate villagers in conservation methods, helping to preserve the abundance of biodiversity and offering visitors an insight into the culture and unique lifestyle of the local people, whilst providing the villagers with a good source of income. Baan Mae Kampong is an ideal destination for anyone seeking both greater cultural and environmental awareness of northern Thailand as well as the chance to relax and enjoy the unspoiled beautiful countryside.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

FAO. 1978. Forestry for local community development. Forestry Paper 7. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Ganjanapan, A. 1991. Community forestry in northern Thailand: learning from local practices. Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University.

Ganjanapan A. & Ganjanapan, S. (eds.) 1990. Research report on the case of community forestry in the north. Social Research Institute, Chiang Mai University.

Jaruphathana, T. 2000. Forest resources of the world. Forest Resources Assessment Division, Forest Research Office, Royal Forest Department.

Royal Forest Department. 1988. National forests, plantations and tree improvement programme in Thailand. Bangkok.

Royal Forest Department. 1994. Forestry statistics of Thailand. Bangkok, Data Center, Information Office.

Royal Forest Department. 2001. Forestry statistics of Thailand. Bangkok, Data Center, Information Office.

Sutthisrisinn, C. 1996. Community forestry programme in Thailand: past-present-future. Paper present at the International Conference on Community Forestry as a Strategy for Sustainable Forest Management, 24-26 May 1996, Manila, the Philippines.