Community and sustainable water resource mangement : a case study of Ban Limthong, Amphoe Nang Rong, Changwat Buri Ram

Abstract

This thesis aims at analyzing the community social learning process in achieving sustainability in water resource management by using Ban Limthong, Amphoe Nang Rong, Changwat Buri Ram as a successful case study. The thesis also identifies the social and cultural factors affecting the success of building a sustainable community water resource management system. To analyze sustainable community water resource management, the research explores the capability of the community to identify problems, locate water resources, and use them efficiently and the potentiality to be reliant based on experiential learning of the community. Ethnographic data and holistic approach are used to analyze the social and cultural factors that affect the success of building a sustainable community water resource management system. Fieldwork research methodology includes observation, participatory observation, and in-depth interviews of key informants in the community. Ethnographic data on neighboring communities was also collected. Research findings reveal that factors contributing to the success of community water resource management are strong leadership, community participation, the use of transmitted local wisdom, and collaboration and networking with stakeholders. The findings for this research have identified that the success of Ban Limthong is influenced by its local wisdom and its process of social learning which include preservation, adaptation, renewal, and innovation