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KKU-FORD SOCIAL FORESTRY RESEARCH PROJECT

Phase III

(1 September 1992 - 31 August 1994)

Social Forestry Research Project

Faculty of Humaniti and Social Sciences

Khon Kaen University

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

KKU - Food Social Forestry Research Project

1 September 1992 - 30 June 1994

The Khon Kaen University Social Forestry Research Project Started her initial collaboration with the Royal Forestry Department in 1987. The project was intended to assist the RFD in developing effective social forestry approaches and field techniques for use in the implementation of RFD programs. The central concern of the project is to integrate social science perspectives in forest management programs. This involved changing roles of the RFD officers as well as help them establish methods to collaborate with local communities and related agencies in developing and implementing forest management plans which consider both the local needs and the environmental objective of the national government policy. During the first chase (1987-1989) the project provided process documentation services and social science analytical advice to the Up I and Social Forestry Pilot Projects in the Northeast. The project also attempted to strengthen research interest and capability of the faculty and graduate students of Khon Kaen University.

In addition, project documents were distributed as means to stimulate public concern over forest management issues. In the second phase which covered the period between January 1990 and July 1992, the project have achieved its objective of strengthening the capability and skills of the local forestry officials to implement the participatory local resource management plans. Within the university, concern for natural resources have captured the interest of scholars from diverse disciplines. A Master's Degree Program in Development Sociology with Concentration on natural resources management has been established and acquired interest from a pool of students who are attached to various development implementing agencies within and outside the northeastern region. In addition, the project documents , newsletters, and research reports have been continually requested by many academic institutions as well as implementing agencies.

Based on the experience of the previous two phases of the project, local organization and institutional support obviously affect participatory forest management. A key element in the effectiveness of social forestry programs is understanding of the social fabric and dynamics within rural communities. and their relationships to available resources. By working with sub-village level social groups and informal organizations. and by catalyzing new groups which share Common interests, the project has made more than satisfactory progress Page 2 of 8

to achieve its goal of forest conservation and afforestation. Attention to organizing and strengthening temple and school committees. occupational, and youth groups. for example, have resulted in the creation of seedling nurseries and tree planting on individual and community land. It can be anticipated that the plan for local forest management can be developed by the local organizations, if support is properly given to them. This, on the other hand, requires ability of the local forestry officials to analyze the community situations, potentials, needs and constraints. In short, reorientation of perspectives and roles is needed for both the villagers and officials. Therefore, it seems necessary for the project to focus its attention on and mediate between both parties.

The implementation of the KHU Social Forestry Research Project can be phased as follows.

1. Learning Phase . The first phase was invested on "learning" through strategic research and process documentation, so that appropriate strategies can be provided to the policy level.

2. Collaboration Phase . During the second phase (1990-1992), the project focused on promoting collaboration among the parties involved. These include the university, the RFD and other related development officials, and the interest groups.

3. Networking Phase . The present phase which started mid 1992, was intended to strengthen and support the network of social forestry programs at various levels :

3.1 At the community level, the project has organized meetings and conferences for interest groups to meet and share their experiences. The groups were strengthened to ensure their capability to plan and implement their forest management programs.

3.2 At the district and provincial level, the project cooperates with local agencies and officials to promote participatory forest management. The project organized-trainings for local officials as well as provided resource persons for trainings in forest resources management.

3.3 At the academic institutional level, the project has cooperated with research and training institutions to promote under standings and integration of social forestry in regional and rural development programs. The linkage has been developed with domestic as well as international institutions.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The KKU Social Forestry Research Project is intended to further support the Royal Forest Department to institutionalize its Social forestry programs, while at the same time motivate the communities and public participation in forest conservation and afforestation. Specific objectives as proposed to the Ford Foundation were as follows.

1. To develop local networks to implement their locally-initiated forest and land management plans. 2. To further strengthen institutional linkages between relevant agencies in local planning and implementation of social forestry programs. 3. To strengthen the plan for the establishment of the Center for Research and Training in Resources Development. 4. To support the graduate program in natural resources management.

PROJECT APPROACH

In order to accomplish the above objectives, the project has served as mediator between vi I lager groups, local officials, and central planners. At the Village level, the project has responded to needs of the interest groups for technical trainings and fieldtrips. Meetings among interest groups have been organized to strengthen local networks Indigenous specialist are usually invited to serve as resource persons. this approach is found to be very effective.

To sensitize local officials to the system approach and social dimension of forest management, as well as to strengthen their capability in local planting and implementation of social forestry programs, the project has Page 3 of 8

collaborated with related agencies to provide consultancy and trainings to improve their ability to assess needs and plan for social forestry programs. To support the rights of local organizations for forest management, the project has put effort to respond to the needs at policy levels. Strategic research has been conducted to achieve guidelines and recommendation for the policy level. The project leader also serves in the regional task groups of the Thailand Upland Social Forestry Project which are responsible for planning, organizing and implementing all project activities.

PROJECT SITES

In this phase, the project aims to strengthen networks of interest groups at the community level. The project expects activities to cover a total of 31 villages in three sites in the Northeast. Primary project sites include the following:

1. Dong Mun Forest, Kalasin Province

The Dong Mun Social Forestry Pilot Project has made excellent progress during the last two phases. Collaboration among relevant project personnel and local organizations has been distinguished. Up to 8 forest-user groups have been formed and linkages of their activities have been developed by means of local meetings and people's conferences. It is anticipated that up to 15 villages surrounding the Dong Mun Reserved Forest will have joined in the "Dong Mun Conservation Network" by the end of the third phase.

2. Dong Lan Forest,

During the second phase, Dong Lan study site served as a sample model to implement social forestry approach in communities with on-going land reallocation program. The project focused on only two villages within the boundary of the Dong Lan 5 Development Project. In spite of a number of constraints, the project achieved its objective to build up good understanding between the government officials and villagers, resulting in a collaborated plan for a community forest development and management.

As this area is the most significant watershed of the Northeast, appropriate management of the area seems to be most necessary. The project intends to explore strategies to integrate social forestry to indigenous watershed management plan. The target local actors for this plan include E villages in the Huai Sai sub - watershed of the Choen Watershed in Khon Kaen Province.

3. Tab Lan Forest, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

This study site is distinguished in terms of its location. The Social forestry pilot projects was implemented in villages bordering the Tab Lan National Forest. Agroforestry wasused as means to improve land use management, while a community plantation was built by cooperating interest groups within the target villages. It is anticipated that additional 8 villages at the national park frontier join in the network to set up a buffer zone between the park and the cultivation area.

PROJECT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

In order to improve operations and respond to diverse needs at the field level, the project organizational structure was designed to be flexible. The project includes three major units. The tasks assigned to each unit are as follows.

1. The Research and Monitoring Unit. Page 4 of 8

Responsibility of this unit includes :

1.1 Investigate the sustainability of the local networks as planned.

1.2 Design and coordinate research studies to support the network sustainability.

1.3 Identify training needs for the sustainability of the networks

1.4 Collaborate with related agencies to support local forest I and management plans.

1.5 Identify strategies for the network expansion, if necessary.

2. The Training Unit

Responsibility of this group includes:

2.1 Collaborate with the RFD to provide trainings in social forestry approach to RFD officials.

2.2 Provide periodical trainings to identified local organizations.

2.3 Provide resource persons for social-forestry trainings to linked institutions and agencies.

2.4 Develop effective manuals for multi-level social forestry trainings.

3. The Publication Unit

Assignments is for the unit are:

3.1 to supply necessary tools and media for field work and trainings.

3.2 to publish the "Social Forestry Newsletter" which will be used as means of communication among social forestry beneficiaries.

3.3 to publicize research findings and project activities.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES

The project activities can be described as follows.

1. Research.

Research activities in this phase include:

1.1. Social Forestry Assessment . With intent ion to strengthen and expand the local networks for participatory forest management, and to achieve the specific objectives of the sites as stated above, the project conducted social forestry assessment in the additional sites. The assessment was used as baseline information to plan for further activities. The final report of this assessment will be publicized

1.2. Strategic Research . A number of research has been conducted to provide guidance for the planning and implementation of social forestry programs. These include: Page 5 of 8

A. The Management of Community Forests by Local Organizations. B. The Indigenous Use of Medicinal Plants and Trees in Phu No Reserved Forest. (being published) C. The Impacts of Phu Pha Man National Park Demarcation. ( in progress). D. Villagers' Networks and Social Forestry Information Transfer. (being published). E. Indigenous Knowledge in Forest Management. (in progress).

1.3. Case Studies . The project has provided small grants to Khon Kaen University graduate students to conduct their thesis studies. Grants were provided to the following studies.

A. Knowledge and Attitude of Forest Dwellers Regarding Forest Resources.

Student : Miss Yuwadee Waitayachote

Completed Date: October. 1992.

B. A Study of People Participation in the Non Governmental Organization Community Forest Management Project : A Case Study of the Project Initiated by the CBIRD, Ban Phai, Changwat Khon Kaen.

Student : Mr. Supornchai Mangmeesit

Completed Date : October, 1992.

More thesis and mini thesis grants will be provided to the graduate students this year. At present the project committee are reviewing submitted research proposals.

2. Training Activities.

The project has put concentration on training activities. The project provides trainings as well as trainers for those organized by linked agencies or organizations. Training services can be categorized as follows:

2.1. Training Organizer . These trainings were organized by the project as a response to needs identified by field research. These include:

A. People's Conference on Forest Conservation.

Participants: Villagers from Dong Mun communities

Venue: Dong Mun Social Forestry Project office

Date: 9 June, 1993

B. Training and Field Study on Agroforestry.

Participants: Agroforestry farmers from Three sites

Venue: Korn Buri-Soeng Sang Forest office and local farms

Date: 17-19 April, 1994

2.2. Collaborative Trainings . These include the trainings which the project jointly organize with other organizations.

A. Training for Local Leaders under the project "Return Nature to Your Own Locality"

Co-organizer: The Phu Wiang District Office

Date: 8 July, 1993. Page 6 of 8

Venue: The Nam Phong Integrated Rural Development Project Station

B. People's Conference on Agroforestry in the Community Forest

Co-organizer: The GIF Trust Fund, Khon Kaen Branch

Date: 22 Octocber, 1993

Venue: Huai Muang Village

3. Information System Management

To facilitate the planning of participatory forest management at local, provincial, and regional level, the project has conducted a survey of community forest in the Northeast. and developed a computer-based information program. This data base can be a part of the Northeast Resource Information Network, being developed by a group of development organizations in this region.

4. Publication.

The purpose of this activity is to promote understanding of social forestry concept and how to integrate it in local development. This has been done through research reports, training and seminar proceedings, and bi- monthly Social Forestry Newsletter (Thai version).

4.1. The News letters and Presented Issues.

Vol.1 No.5 (Jan-Feb) - Legal aspects of Social forestry.

Vol.2 No.5 (Mar-Apr) - Report on the People's Conference on Community and Forest Conservation.

Vol.3 No.5 (May-Jun) - Teachers' Roles in Forest Conservation.

Vol.4 No.5 (Jul-Aug) - Community Forest for Soil and Water Conservation.

Vol.5 No.5 (Sep-Dec) - Homegarden Practices.

Vol.1 No.6 (Jan-Mar) - Water: the Only Left Resource.

Vol.2 No.6 (Apr-Jun) Isan Soil and Forest Problems.

Vol.3 No.6 (Jul-Sep) - Local Organizations and Natural Resources Management.

Vol.4 No.6 (Oct-Dec) - Agroforestry : an Alternative for Self Reliance.

4.2. Seminar Proceedings and Training Manuals.

A. Social Forestry: an Alternative for Forest Management. B. Natural Resources Development Planning at the District Level: a Case of Phu Wiang District, Khon Kaen Province. C. Rural Appraisal for Integrated Irrigation Project. D. Rapid RuraI Appraisal for Community Forestry. (Training Material for the Regional Training Course in Community Forestry Development Techniques, and the Training Workshop for Technical and Extension Level Agroforestry Trainers in Asia-Pacific)

4.3. Papers and other Publication. Page 7 of 8

Apichatvullop, Yaowalak.

Social Forestry for Rural Development Guidelines for Program Implementation. Paper presented at the Expert-Group Seminar-cum-Workshop on Promoting Social Forestry Through Interagency Collaboration in Manpower Development. 20-26 April, 1992. Bangkok and Khon Kaen, Thai land.

Apichatvullop, Yaowalak.

"Local Participation Social Forestry" Regional Development Dialogue. Vol.14, No.1. Spring 1993, pp. 34-42.

Apichatvullop, Yaowlak.

Organizing People for Forest Resource Management: Implications for Sustainable Development. Paper presented at the Sustainable Integrated Rural Development (SIRD) Third Regional Workshop: Training for Community Resource Management, 3-4 June, 1993. The Brunei Government Rest l-louse, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei.

Apichatvullop, Yaowalak. et. al.

Working with People for Sustainable Forest Management in the North east. In Hafner, James A. (ed.) Farming the Forest: Forest Land Use and Management in North east Thailand. (forthcoming)

Apichatvullop. Yaowalak.

Social Forestry and its implications for Natural Resources and Environment Management in Shifting Cultivation Area in Environmentally Sound Development and Quality of Life in Shifting Cultivation Areas. Proceeding from a Symposium held at Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Vientiane, Lao PDR. 23-24 February, 1994.

PROJECT ACHIEVEMENT

During the third phase, the project has further developed tools for improving the capability of local organizations to plan and implement social forestry programs.

1. People's Symposium : a Tool for Village Networking

During the second phase, the project established linkages among communities around Dong Mun Reserved Forest. The first people's symposium was organized to provide forum for the interest groups to meet and discuss their experiences, plans and constraints in their forest management activities. This approach was found to be an effective way to build up learning experiences and enthusiasm for forest protection and reforestation. Therefore, the approach has been revised and improved. so that it can be more efficiently applied.

2. Social Forestry Assessment: a Tool for Project Planning

During the first. and second phase, the project employed Rapid Rural Appraisal techniques to Identify community problems and potentials for social forestry. This methodology was modified to suit the requirements of social forestry. Emphasis of the Social Forestry Assessment Techniques IS on system approach to the problem. This can bring about description of community problems, physical potential, and organizational structures which are necessary for social forestry project success. Page 8 of 8

3. Integration of Social Forestry/Natural Resource Management in Development Sociology Curriculum.

Experiences from the project was built into the curriculum of the Master's Degree Program in Development Sociology. Students can take courses like Seminar in Community Forestry, Sociology of Natural Resources and Environment, and Project Planning and Management (with focus on natural resource development project). This program provided opportunities for local governmental and non-governmental development workers to broaden their perspectives, and improve their competencies, resulting in better management of development programs.

4. inter-Agency Collaboration.

During this phase, the project has been successful in establishing relationships with groups and organizations with common invest The project have taken responsibility to teach the international participants of the Certificate Course in Community forestry at the Regional Community Forestry Training Center (RECOFTC). in Community Forestry Assessment module.

The project also cooperates with the United Nat ions Centre for Regional Development to explore strategies to integrate social forestry into regional and rural development planning, and to extend the social forestry approach to development programs in Lao PDR. A syninum, sponsored by the UNCRD, was held in Lao PDR. in February 1984 where the project experience was described to the Lao's of trials. Further trainings have been planned.

PROJECT CONSTRAINTS

1. During the third phase, the RFD was in the process of revising their own structure to fit the concept of social forestry. Delay in the process of institutionalization of pilot project experience resulted in unclear mandate to the officials at the local level, causing their reluctance to proceed on the project plan.

2. The university's policy to avoid the establishment of new departments and centers made it quite impossible to set up the center for Research and Training in Resource Development. In spite of this, the project research and training activities have been in progress.

3. As non-faculty research staff are temporarily hired by the project fund. they tend to leave the project for permanent jobs. Although the project can recruit new staff, it usually takes them some time to orientate themselves to the project objectives, approaches and nature of work, This delays progress of work as well as distraction in of some activities.