Sustainable Land Management Indicators: Concepts and Challenges in the Context of Thailand
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Abstract
Sustainable land management is a critical issue that encompasses environmental, social, economic, and governance dimensions. This study aimed to develop a “Land Management Sustainability Index” capable of comprehensively reflecting the conditions and challenges of land management in Thailand. The index comprises two main dimensions: Land Use Sustainability (LUS) and Soil Resources Sustainability (SRS). These dimensions are organized into seven pillars, consisting of 20 indicators and 40 sub-indicators. The assessment draws upon data from multiple sources, including the Land Development Department, the Office of Agricultural Economics, and contemporary geographic information system (GIS) datasets. The analysis identifies significant challenges in data fragmentation, inconsistent indicator definitions, and policy limitations. The study offers structural recommendations such as establishing a national land data center, standardizing land classification systems, and linking policy inputs with local-level outcomes. These improvements aim to enable the index to function as an effective tool for tracking progress and guiding sustainable land policy in Thailand.
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