The processes of Strengthening Communities and Community Networks for the Conservation and Utilization of Community Forest in the Ing Basin

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to study about the processes of strengthening 
communities and community networks for the conservation and utilization of community forest 
in the Ing river Basin. This qualitative research uses participatory action research method to study 
three community-forest networks to represent the Upper. Middle. and Lower Ing River Basins. 
Data collection in the fields were conducted by surveying community and the forest. interviewing 
thirty key informants. participating in local activity for observation. organizing network meetings. 
and supporting the network to conduct community research.  
It is found that the processes of strengthening communities in the three areas for direct 
and indirect uses of community forest starts from producing local knowledge. Settling down in 
narrow lowland along the river and foothills make local communities clearly see the relationship 
between forest and other natural resources and their livelihoods. Consequently. they produce 
four levels of local knowledge corresponding to the forest resource. The produced knowledge 
interact each other and with the changing contexts of that area to be Situated Knowledge.   The 
conservation of community forest began after the water crisis in 1992 because of deforestation. 
The strengths of communities based on the knowledge and strengthened local leaders are the 
foundation for creating community institution for the conservation. Communities created 
common goals and methods corresponding to local contexts. The conservation was more 
organized and formal because of the supports by non-governmental and governmental 
organizations.  
levels. 
Outside organizations both non-governmental and governmental organizations play 
important roles for strengthening the networks. They help to set up structures and mechanisms in 
different 
The processes include capacity building. knowledge management. 
communication. and campaign for policy change. In the case of land community forest. the 
networks linked to national movement on community forest were weakened after 2007 because 
of the weakness of the movement. The activities and processes for the strengthening of the 
network were discontinue. In the meantime. the network of community wetland forests in the 
Lower Ing Basin. have been established not long ago in 2016 by NGOs.