บทบาทของฝ่ายปกครองในการป้องกันและแก้ไขปัญหาไฟป่า และหมอกควันกรณีศึกษาอำเภอบ้านโฮ่งจังหวัดลำพูน

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to study the role of the department of provincial administration or the sub-district headmen and the village headmen in implementing the policy to prevent and solve forest fire and smog problems and to study the problems, obstacles in driving, preventing and solving forest fire and smog problems of the department of provincial administration or the sub-district headmen and the village headmen in Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province. The research study was a qualitative research study focusing on studying areas at risk of forest fires and smog every year which is a case study area of Ban Hong District, Lamphun Province. The data was collected from 66 participants in a specific group discussion, collected from 60 in-depth interviews and 6 key informants. The results of the study found that In terms of action and participation, it was found that the department of provincial administration had concrete results in preventing and solving forest fires and smog problems in several areas, including public relations to create understanding of the impact of forest fires and smoke continuously as well as publicizing the fuel management period in the area so that people know the management guidelines in each sub-district during severe forest fires and smog. There is also cooperation from various government agencies in organizing proactive activities by knocking on doors to aise awareness among local residents and performing duties and setting up checkpoints or forest fire checkpoints in each village. There are also ongoing patrols in the area, the preparation of fuel managementplans, composting activities to reduce open-air burning, as well as the establishment of fire prevention lines to prevent the spread of wildfires. In terms of participation, it was found that the key roles included village leaders, communities or village groups such as the sub-district headmen, the sub- district headmen's assistant, the village committee, the village security team, and the village health volunteers. These groups of people will be involved in the problem recognition process, fuel management planning and participation in all activities. Others will only participate in certain activities, such as composting to reduce open-space burning and forest fire breakouts. From other aspects of the study, it was found that the department of provincial administration's strengths were they are local people, therefore, they know the topography very well. As a result, they are able to reach the heat-producing area before other units. They are known to people who are harvesting forest products or people who have farmland adjacent to forest areas. But they have disadvantages. Most of the people who participated in the forest fire and smog solving activities were only the village leaders especially village committee or village security team. The general public or volunteers in the area did not pay much attention to activities related to forest fires and smog. The difference between the department of provincial administration and other departments is that the department of provincial administration exists in every village, so they know the area and condition of the problems in the area very well. Other departments or government agencies can create only a single team each working on forest fires and smog but they must be responsible for the whole district, therefore they have to rely mainly on local government or village level. Problems, Obstacles and Suggestions - Administrative divisions at the local level overall need more government budget support, as well as the supplies and equipment needed to tackle forest fires and smog. Budget support from the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) should be seriously supported in order to make forest fire management more effective. In addition, people in villages at risk of wildfires and severe smog every year should be employed. Other benefits should also be provided to firefighting teams on duty in the event of injury or death. Furthermore, each district should have a meeting on the fuel management or the absolutely refrain from burning and sets a period of fuel management in each sub- district to be consistent with the actual nature of the area.