Integrated water resources management of Mae Rim sub watershed Chiang Mai province

Abstract

               The study of Integrated water resources  management of  Mae Rim sub watershed in Chiang Mai province aimed to develop integrated water resources management with the participation of stakeholders in the watershed, to strengthen the communities in the watershed and to achieve the sustainable use of water resources and other resources involved. The 80 samples from 6 groups including of community representatives, local government, related government organization, education institutions, religion institutions, and representatives from the business sectors in the watershed.  The data were collected by using observation, questionnaire, interview, seminar and focus group methods. The collected data were analyzed according to qualitative techniques, and the presentation of the result was done in a form of descriptive report.

               The study found that the problems of water resources management in Mae Rim Sub watershed originated from inefficient management process and lack of correct integration process. Regarding solutions to the problem, the stakeholders in the watershed are working together to develop the water resources management and integration process. The findings have proposed the establishment of water resources management organization at a local level to promote participation of stakeholders in the area. In addition, the communities should realize the value of resources, the existing of water resources, problems, the respectation of themselves and pride in the wisdom of their ancestors. The communities have the opportunity to fully develop their potential to solve the problems by themselves, and to change the top-down management process, that the   government sets policy and guidelines for the local communities to follow, to an acceptable bottom-up process that is determined by the community prior to presenting the management plan to the government. Then, the process of negotiation between local communities and government to form Mae Rim sub watershed agreement/commitment can be set up to achieve a true integration of water resources management.