Title: Community-based wetland management at Goot Ting marshes, northeast Thailand: implications for policy and practice

Authors: John W.K. Parr, Yanyong Sricharoen, Anocha Pichaisiri, Jaranporn Lertsahakul, Chavalit Vidthayanon, Chaiya Peng-Un, Chao Moolsiri

Addresses: 40/24 Mooban Chaiyapuk, Tanon Semafarklam, Tambon Kooklod, Lam Lukka, Pathum Thani 12130, Thailand. ' WWF Greater Mekong (Thailand Country Programme), 379 Moo 12, Beung Khong Long Sub-district, Beung Khong Long District, Nong Khai Province 43220, Thailand. ' WWF Greater Mekong (Thailand Country Programme), 129 Moo 2, Beung Kan sub-district, Beung Kan District, Nong Khai Province 43140, Thailand. ' WWF Greater Mekong (Thailand Country Programme), 129 Moo 2, Beung Kan sub-district, Beung Kan District, Nong Khai Province 43140, Thailand. ' Khorat Fossil Museum, Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University, 184 Moo 7 Suranaree, Muang District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand. ' WWF Greater Mekong (Thailand Country Programme), 379 Moo 12, Beung Khong Long Sub-district, Beung Khong Long District, Nong Khai Province 43220, Thailand. ' WWF Greater Mekong (Thailand Country Programme), 379 Moo 12, Beung Khong Long Sub-district, Beung Khong Long District, Nong Khai Province 43220, Thailand

Abstract: Wetlands cover around 36,616 km² or 7.5% of Thailand|s land area. The majority of the 42,000 wetland sites have no formalised, legal protection. This paper reports on a new wetland management approach for communities to manage a seasonally inundated wetland, Goot Ting marshes, in Nong Khai Province, northeastern Thailand. Activities undertaken under this initiative comprised participatory research on the natural resources to identify the biodiversity values and users within the wetland. The boundary and two recognised zones of the community-managed wetland were demarcated. Each zone had specific rules drawn up. Two new institutional bodies for community wetland management – at provincial and wetland level – were established for the management of Goot Ting marshes. This grass-roots initiative provides strong impetus towards a new community-based, conservation agenda for wetland management. Thailand should adopt suitable community wetland legislation and formulate community wetland policy, recognising customary rights to govern and manage wetlands.

Keywords: community-managed wetlands; freshwater; Goot Ting marshes; Thailand; Ramsar; wetland management; biodiversity; community wetland policy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2011.037693

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2011 Vol.10 No.1, pp.96 - 118

Published online: 21 Feb 2015 *

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