Overview
The current water management system in Thailand is fragmented and centralized. The modern system of water management has disrupted the local culture by discouraging the traditional, community-based irrigation system, Muang Fai. Modern irrigation systems have been promoted and as the push for globalization grows stronger, more and more water is diverted to industrial areas and expanding cities. Water resources have also been privatized and current policy aims to maximize profit through enforcing water levees from citizens, including those from rural communities. This system has created an imbalance between water supply and the growing demand for water from agricultural and industrial sectors. There are also ongoing problems of water pollution and chemical contamination discharged from the industry. Tremendous changes in policy and implementation would be needed to solve these complex issues.
Write an essay on how the government should better support and implement practices related to conservation and protection of natural resources. How can a government create an enabling environment to facilitate peoples’ movements and local, community organizations? You may look further into the specific topic above or you may respond using another example regarding (mis)management of a natural resource. The Gasland Part II documentary you watched provided another example of a misused natural resource, and there are unfortunately, hundreds more.