Integration of community forest management and development activities: Lessons learned from Ubon Ratchathani province

Community forest is expected to be a tool for improving the quality of life of people living in the forest. However, the integration of community forest with the development activities for sustainability has not been investigated. This study analyzed the integration between community forest and community development toward sustainability using a case study involving Ban Donmu and Ban Chard, Ubon Ratchathani province. This qualitative research used observation and in-depth interviews with 22 key informants consisting of 2 forest officers, 4 community leaders, 6 forest community committee, 3 non-government organization workers, 2 scientists, and 5 forest community users. Snowball sampling was used to select persons for interviewing, followed by content analysis and synthesis. The results showed that the communities performed strongly in forest management, based on community tradition and culture, and a kinship system integrated with academic knowledge and local wisdom. A learning process through community-based research contributed to the integration of holistic community development activities fitting to the community's way-of-life and needs. Learning centers were established for sharing knowledge. Grouping and participation were developed based on community democracy. A conservation concept was implanted in youths through activities, and leaders acted as good role models on how to live. The communities received support from outside agencies, screened by the community forum. The Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and Buddhist doctrines have been followed in development and lifestyle activities, resulting in changing practices and ways of thinking to those that agreed and balanced with the social and cultural context