Co-Management Concept and Its Practical Variation in Protected Area: Ob Luang National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand

14 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2017

Date Written: January 1, 2014

Abstract

This research aims to study and analyze the validity and variability of the co-management concept in the structure level and systems that impact on the area and its operations, especially the elaboration of the process and the relationships of stakeholders. The research was conducted as qualitative method by collecting the data from annual reports, implementation reports of both governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations. An in-depth interview with the stakeholder in the area of the issues of local management mechanism, management processes and other related processes tools are also included. All data were organized, prioritized and summarized regarding the problems and conditions in the area. The result indicated that the co-management concept was applied by the Joint Management of Protected Area (JoMPA) in Ob Luang National Park, Chiang Mai. The implementation was collaborated by several parties; government organizations, Tambon Administrative Organizations, non-government organizations and community networks, for instance. The operation was partly succeeded in solving problems regarding the protected area in a certain level as well as participatory land demarcation. However, the operation was unable to continue and fully extended. This problem was presumably arisen from incompleteness of concept, process, and/or operation. Co-management concept was applied by stakeholders through its cooperation and related governmental and non-governmental agencies in participatory learning the result and managing the problems. This application was also relied on implementation of evidence-based through management mechanism, related tools, and management process. Nevertheless, the result have been in both success and failure in some aspects. From this reason, it very reflects the project’s objectives due to the incompletion of either concept or practiced operations that has encountered the resistant force from the system. Indeed, the co-management concept is based on an intensive analysis on interaction among sustainable natural resource base system, the production and economy system, and the participatory management system in which they are able to manage balance and sustainability of the watershed ecosystem. The mechanism management was presumably driven by a problem-oriented approach, a holistic analysis, multidiscipline and local knowledge, as well as the application of evidence-based that were mutually accepted by all parties. However, while concept interacts with practices, there was also the variation that possibly occurred in terms of concept transferring, mechanism management, land demarcation, all activities’ outputs and stakeholders’ power of relationship. The conditions and factors, that caused the variation at structure level were originated from mindset of the administrators who were greatly held onto the traditional mindset and complex bureaucratic structure of the government system, Moreover, the roles of each responsible organization were unrelated, and their organizational customs are more emphasized on satisfying their leaders rather than on their achievements. The variation was initiated by the imbalance understanding and practices among stakeholder, including the power relations and authorities in engaging with inequalities. Furthermore, their knowledge of management tools was varied in which it created disintegration of management procedures.

Keywords: Co-Management Concept, Practical Variation, Protected Area, National Park, Structure level

Suggested Citation

Wongweerapant, Nittaya, Co-Management Concept and Its Practical Variation in Protected Area: Ob Luang National Park, Chiang Mai, Thailand (January 1, 2014). International Journal of College of Government (RSUIJCG), Vol. 1, No. 1, (2014), Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3042429

Nittaya Wongweerapant (Contact Author)

Chiang Mai University ( email )

Huay Kaew Road
Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50100
Thailand

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