| Author | Charurin Pholhinkong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-06-12 |
| Subject(s) | Water resources development--Thailand--Prachin Buri
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| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-06-12 |
| Abstract | Thai government has promoted the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach to be implemented in the upper and down stream part of the Prachin Buri sub watershed. However, as the government policy was designed at the ministerial and departmental levels, and management was focused mainly at provincial level, the implementation at local level did not effectively work. One major problem among others was the lack of information and knowledge on farmer's decision making related to communitybased water resources. Though community based water resources management has been continuously promoted, there has not been any comprehensive study on the IWRM to find the gaps between planning and practical implementation. This study is an attempt to examine integrated water resources management implemented by local community. The study area is the mid-stream sub-watershed in Tha Ngarm subdistrict, Prachin Buri Province. The area was chosen because it is one of many areas where IWRM was promoted. The community experience with water resources sharing and managing has revealed many cultural aspects. The institutions involved in water resources management are analyzed. The research tools included a combination of PRA, field observation, key informants interview, semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussion. 72 households were selected as research examples from the total 156. Local institutions involved in water resources management are: water user group, water council, and Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO). The Water user group was formed with the hope to help solve problems and conflicts in water use; however it has not been effective as anticipated. Due to strong ties in local society, strict rules and regulations did not work out. The Water council was established with the same purpose of solving problems and conflicts in water resources management. Rules of the Council were formulated by TAO which was officially appointed to be responsible for irrigation projects. This is an official procedure following the decentralization of the government authority to the local organization regardless of the local capacity. Plan implemented by Department of Water Resources (DWR) emphasizes the supply side and is focused on developing reservoirs and small water resources project. Decision making and planning of projects proposed by local people were made at central organizations. In the province, the Development Activity of Citizen Forum (DOF) has implemented the Public Healthy Life (HPL) project for supporting local communities to develop community-based natural resources. The HPL has appending been more effective in advising local needs for NRM. DWR should have worked on technical support for construction, and maintenance of reservoir projects only after the local needs were assessed and in cooperation with the local communities. Delegation of authority to local organizations is needed but is not automatic process. A transition period is needed. Local organizations like TAO should be assisted with technical knowledge, organizational, and management skills in the inception phase of the communitybased management |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-06-12 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dietrich Schmidt-Vogt; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh P.;Soparth Pongquan; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Development Bank - Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |