2011 Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 95-100
Since district has an intermediate position to multilevel planning system in almost all developing countries, there is a need to develop and prepare plan at district level incorporating the needs of the people, problems, potentials and developmental issues of the sub-districts to ensure sustainable rural development. With this view, the Regional and Rural Development Planning Programme of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has intensified the planning workshop course to prepare sectoral plans within the district plans for strengthening decentralized planning exercise. This paper focuses sectoral plans on natural resources and environment, Pak Phli district, Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand. The objective of this study is to clearly focus on need assessment, policy analysis, problems and potentials analysis and finally, identification of development programmes and projects to fulfill sectoral, spatial and clientele requirements. The methodology is developed on participatory planning approach, concept of learning while working, group discussion/interviews, discussion with governmental officials through meetings, brain storming, group exercise and presentation. However, study shows that although Pak Phli is blessed with the attraction of natural resources and renowned with abundant agricultural products, orchard gardens, beautiful water reservoirs and waterfalls but soil backward situation (gravel soil, hard soil, salty soil or acidic soil), severe soil erosion, high soil degradation and improper waste management are the most significant problems while lack of land title, low soil fertility, flooding, non-functioning of community forestry project and water pollution are prioritized as problems in this district. In accordance with several recommendations, this study proposes three projects for developing of natural resources and environment sector: (1) Acid soil management by applying liming and organic farming practices; (2) Strengthening community forestry project by enhancing capacity building of existing community forestry groups; and (3) Improving municipal solid waste management system by involving private sector and community people to carry out community solid waste management.
