| Author | OU Chouly |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.NR-06-24 |
| Subject(s) | biodiversity conservation--Cambodia--Tonle Sap
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no.NR-06-24 |
| Abstract | This study had explored the scope and limitation of Community Based Conservation
practices in the core area of the Tonie Sap Lake named Prek Toal. Prek Toal is known as
the most important biodiversity hot spot of the lake where CBC had been introduced by
government and NGOs agencies. Both quantitative and qualitative method were applied to
achieve three specific objectives: to understand local people perceptions towards
biodiversity conservation in Prek Toal core area, to identify key factors which facilitate as
well as identify constraining factors which foster passivity in community based
conservation practices; and to explore and examine the role of social capital in community
based conservation in the study area.
The finding of the study indicated that local people generally had a negative perception and
attitude towards the rule, regulation, management and implementation of CBC. The degree
of benefit gained and satisfaction with benefit gained from conservation practices was low.
Due to the low level of benefit gained as well as lack of trust, the satisfaction of local
people with ecotourism, waterbirds conservation and community fishery was also low.
Ecotourism got the highest satisfaction score compared to the other two practices because
it provided local people with mediate and tangible benefit and it also generated trust with
local villagers. Local people were found to have low and passive participation in the
conservation practice. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) found four factors which had
impact on the participation of local people in CBC. They were so called household
characteristics, social capital, local awareness, and local commitment. The role of social
capital was further discussed based on its dimension such as trust, network, social
interaction and collective actions. In addition to these dimensions, conflict and corruption
were found to have association with participation level of local people as well. Lack of
trust and less social interaction induced conflict and as a result local people fear to involve
in collective actions of CBC. Network was proved to be the cause of corruption which
believed to be the main constraint in the CBC practices. It was concluded that CBC
practices in the study area were not only an issue of giving opportunities to the community
to participate but also provide mechanism and inducing local commitment to take part in
the process. Social capital was one of the influencing factors which need much attention
when introducing CBC programs or projects as it can both facilitate and constraint CBC. |
| Year | 2006 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. NR-06-24 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Vogt, Dietrich Schmidt;Webb, Edward L.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thapa, Gopal B.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship;University Support to Environmental Planning and Management (USEP AM); |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2006 |