Rural participatory buffer zone management in northeastern Thailand

The past protected area management system which emphasized the ownership and control of forest by the state and overlooked the interaction between human and resources has failed because the annual rate of deforestation in Thailand is still as high as 2.6%. This paper aims to introduce a new approach to protected area management that would involve local people in the process. A case of buffer zone management through collaborative efforts is examined here. The project is located at the southeastern corner of the buffer zone of Phu Kheio Wildlife Sanctuary, Northeastern Thailand. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques including secondary data study, physical survey, participatory meeting, and semi-structured interviewing were employed in data gathering. The results discussed here suggest that there is a chance to create a better understanding among rural people of the importance of afforestation and nature conservation that will lead to a better management of resources in the future.