Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2003

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development

The study was conducted to investigate existing utilization and management of wetland resources in Lam Yang Floodplain region in order to identify the existing the utilization, management and the constraints, potential of stakeholder involve wetland resources management. The study was carried out in six village of three sub-district along to the Lam Yang where they utilize of the wetland resources in order to describe the socialseconomic status, the existing utilization of wetland resources, the existing wetland management, and threat of sustainable management wetland resources include conflict of wetland users. It was aimed as investigating the users attitudes forward users involvement and co-management of wetland resources. Different attitudes of the different interest forwards improvement of the wetland management were also investigated. There were 120 villagers who interviewed using structured in sharing the information. A feedback discussion among stakeholder was use in order to identify strategies for improving the wetland management. Physical condition was the main problem of wetland resources users, with was caused by decreased in the area of floodplain forest by conversion to paddy fields, firewood, reconstruct of stream bank that obstruct the water flow to the Lam Yang Floodplain and use of illegal fishing gear such as small mesh size, increase in the number and quantity of fishing gears and increased use of inorganic fertilized pesticides. The weakness of management of wetland was both by government agencies and on the part of village members. The over exploitation in Lam Yang Floodplain such as fishing over fishing, over hunting and over cutting were caused declined of wetland resources. Therefore, in Lam Yang Floodplain case of wetland management, there should be improved wetland management through the comanagement by involving government, Tambon Administration Organization and wetland users, communities through the establishment of the conservation area pilot project, conservation volunteers and promotions the fisheries regulation. Tambon Administration Organization should coordinate between government agencies, wetland users communities, and other agencies. The community base on management as the logistics authority will lead to improvement of the wetland users co-management to achieve the sustainable wetland resources management.