Perceptions of an invasive plant species, Mimosa pigra, and the management strategies uses to combat it in Chllong District, Cambodia | |
| Author | Rijal, Samridhi |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-11-06 |
| Subject(s) | Mimosa pigra--Cambodia--Chllong District Invasive plants--Cambodia--Chllong District |
| Note | A thesis submitted in pa1tial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resource Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. NR-11-06 |
| Abstract | Eighty-one farmers were interviewed to get their perceptions and attitudes regarding mimosa pigra in Chhlong district, Cambodia. Field data from the same respondents were gathered so that information regarding perceptions, attitudes and field data were correlated. Focus-group discussions with different respondents took to place to rank the problems from the local perspective. Overall, it was found that there was overwhelming support for an external management team and the desire for eradication was very high, mainly due to the rapid re-growth, thorns and the high seed production. Over the past three decades, the local farmers had come up with management strategies that allowed them to deal with mimosa in an effective manner for the short-term. This meant that the locals employed locally available resources to combat mimosa infestations using heavy labor at least once a year in their fields. Generally, presence of mimosa in the vicinity was related to the total mimosa coverage and the willingness of farmers to clear the neighboring lands. Overall, management of mimosa was very time-consuming and an endeavor that the locals would rather see taken care of by other entities. However, the local government considers mimosa to be one of the problematic plants but not a priority in Chhlong. Furthermore, interviews with various individuals revealed that mimosa biomass is of no good use for the local residents because the only potential to use mimosa in the region is in the way of biomass, but in the presence of better quality wood, it is less efficient to use mimosa. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-11-06 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Cochard, Roland |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ebbers, Theo;Shrestha, Rajendra |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | - |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |