PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT OF BLACK HAWK FIELD IN TUNG YAI, PAK PHILI, NAKHON NAYOK

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Abstract

The objectives of this research were to 1) study and analyze the diversity of natural resources of Black Hawk Field in Tung Yai, Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok, 2) study the potential and preparedness of Black Hawk Field in terms of ecotourism, and 3) plan for sustainable ecotourism development of Black Hawk Field. This was a qualitative research. Five theoretical concepts including concept of biodiversity, concept of ecotourism, concept of participation, and development planning concept as theoretical frameworks, were used. The research field was Tung Yai, Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok (Thailand), and the samples of the key informants were divided into 4 groups. Additionally, 25 key informants were selected. Besides, research tools were in-depth interview, evaluation form of sustainable ecotourism development as to systematic and sustainable management of natural resource or environment, and natural resource diversity analysis. Moreover, the researchers relied on content analysis followed by descriptive narratives. According to the survey results of diversity in natural resources in the field, it was found that there were 38 species of birds, classified as 14 species of water fowl, 2 species of hawks, 2 species of kingfisher, 1 species of lace-eating bird (Coppersmith barbet), 1 species of vulture, 2 species of swallow, 2 species of doves, and 14 species of birds eating insects-fish. It was also found that the values of Diversity index was 3.05 whereas Shannon evenness was 0.87. As for diversity of plant species, there were 9 species of grasses, 4 species of cover crops, 3 species of floating plants, 6 species of submerged plants, and 20 species of Eriocaulaceae, seaweed, and perennial plants with Diversity index at 2.68 and Shannon evenness at 0.75. What’s more, the study results of the potential and preparedness of Black Hawk Field in Tung Yai, Pak Phli in the dimension of ecotourism, according to evaluation form of sustainable environment, showed 3.46 evaluation scores of the fourth aspect as systematic and sustainable management of natural resource and environment (D) from total score 4, which was classified as excellent level. In the meantime, as for the final stage as the process of participation from the stakeholders in the certain area, the researchers planed for sustainable ecotourism development of the community of Black Hawk Field in Tung Yai, Pak Phli, Nakhon Nayok, which resulted in the vision as "Distinctive ecotourism site of Black Hawk Field, Pak Phli, the model of sustainable agricultural community at global level” with 4 strategies. They were composed of 1) sustainable ecotourism development for environmental conservation, 2) sustainable ecotourism development for local economy and income distribution to community, 3) sustainable ecotourism development acting as the model of social development with integration, and 4) sustainable ecotourism development for cultivating consciousness of cultural conservation and mental development.