กระบวนการมีส่วนร่วมในการแก้ไขปัญหามลภาวะทางน้ำของประชาชนในชุมชนบ้านท่าทุ่มและบ้านยางพระธาตุจังหวัดเชียงใหม่

Abstract

The study “Participation Process in Water Pollution Problem Solving of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities, Chiang Mai Province” aimed to 1) investigate and describe the participation process of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities, Chiang Mai Province, 2) examine and analyze factors affecting the participation process of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities, Chiang Mai Province in water pollution problem solving, and 3) study and explore the problems and obstacles in participation process of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities in solving water solution problems. This qualitative study employed documentary research, non-participant observation, in-depth interview, and survey methods. In addition, this research used purposive sampling which included 28 key informants: 6 community leaders, 16 Natural Resources and Environment committee members and 6 members from offices related to participation process in water pollution problem solving. The samples used in the survey of the opinions of the local people were 381 people which included 189 from Ban Thattum community and 192 from Ban Yang Phra That community. The main findings of the study were as follows. In terms of the participation process of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities, Chiang Mai Province, it was found that the community leaders had both formal and informal roles in mustering community participation in solving the existing water pollution problems and promoting high public awareness of both communities which created the collaboration between the communities. Moreover, the factors affecting water pollution problems were the private capitalists discharged wastewater into the water sources in the area, and the geography of the area was mid-water which was narrow and deep. The factors affecting the participation process of the people in water pollution problems were the strong community leaders, the awareness of the people in the public resources, and the use of local tradition and belief in creating activities to promote the participation of the communities. For the problems and obstacles in participation process of Ban Thattum and Ban Yang Phra That Communities in solving water solution problems, it was found that the main problems were insufficient budgets, geography of the area being narrow and deep river, lack of participation from some groups of people, the water usage control of other communities upstream, and different practices of sectors providing assistance to the communities. Finally, it could be suggested that related public sectors should pay attention to the solving of natural resource problems more seriously, especially budget and knowledge supports. This would promote the participation of the people in the local communities and other communities benefited from the water resources. It would also prevent possible conflicts. At the same time, the local administrative organizations should have legal and practical roles in looking after the public resources with the people in the communities and mustering community participation by extending Maekuang basin community network to collaborate in sustainably solving water pollutions problems.