The Forest Guardians: A Comparative Analysis of Indigenous Knowledge and Community Forest Governance in Northern Thailand and Nagaland, India
Publication Description
This comparative study critically examines community forest management practices in northern Thailand and Nagaland, Northeast India. It investigates the processes through which forest-dwelling populations establish social networks with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and the private sector. The research further explores the resilience of indigenous knowledge systems and their integration with contemporary practices to enhance the effectiveness of forest management. The research was conducted in !ve Karen communities in Northern Thailand, recognized as exemplary models of community forest management, as well as in four villages located in the Kohima and Peren Districts of Nagaland, where ecotourism and development projects are actively being implemented. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation from January 2022 to November 2023. The !ndings reveal that both Karen communities in Thailand and communities in Nagaland have developed community-based Payment for Environmental Services (PES) schemes, albeit with distinct approaches. The Karen communities use PES to !nance not only conservation activities but also social welfare initiatives, leveraging these schemes to position themselves as forest protectors and strengthen their claims to land rights. In contrast, the communities in Nagaland mostly utilize communitybased PES to support conservation efforts and !nance development projects because they gain from the increased revenue from ecotourism. Their land ownership reduces their dependence on external support; however, the sustainability of these initiatives is constrained by limited resource-sharing across villages. Both indigenous communities in Thailand and Nagaland effectively leverage their social networks to secure support for livelihood diversi!cation, emphasizing the signi!- cance of collaboration with external institutions to sustain their forest management initiatives. Additionally, Indigenous Peoples in both regions utilize traditional practices and actively construct new indigenous identities to negotiate state policies, foster community cohesion, and promote sustainable forest conservation.