Abstract: Problem statement: Thai people favored to eat sweet wild trees (Phak
Whan Pa). The wild trees naturally grew quite slowly in the forests. Their leaves,
eaten as vegetables, could not meet market demand nationwide. Seedling was difficult
and people were not interested in planting them. Support from government and/or
public sectors was slow. Those were the causes for shortages of the sweet wild
trees. The purpose of the study was to investigate the social capital concerning
a conservation of sweet wild trees.
Approach: The study was carried out at Sakarat community located in Amphoe
Pak Thong Chai Nakhonratchasima. As a qualitative research, documentary and
field work data were collected. The 10 informants were planters and government
officials responsible for conservation of the sweet wild trees at the Sakarat
environment research office. The research results were presented descriptively.
Results: The social capitals, to a large extent, arose from shortages
of the sweet wild trees, Known as, Phak Whan Pa, in Northeastern Thailand. Yet,
the leaves of Phak Whan Pa were not only popular among the Thai people but also
they were more expensive than other wild and home grown vegetables. A conservation
of these given plants by planting them in their community and near by woods
was proposed, implemented and endorsed by community leaders and Buddhist monks.
Their objective as an interest group was to grow herbal plants at the Klongtery
temple by giving 2-3 Phak Whan Pa seedlings to each family in the community
turning such a maneuver a social capital. They often held meetings and spared
news in community media, known as, Hor Krajai Kao. Tourist and learning programs
were carried out at the Sakarat environment research office, such as, planting
young plants or seedlings in the community forests protecting them with wooden
cages and providing cares so that they survived in own natural setting.
Conclusion/Recommendations: The people in the community and near by were
allowed to pick the Phak Whan Pa in their community forests and the Taplan National
Park, keeping in mind that a conservation and awareness of the popular wild
plants finally paid off and benefited to all concerned people. |