| Author | Nguyen Thi Binh Minh |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.HS-96-03 |
| Subject(s) | Waste lands--Thailand--Chanthaburi
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| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. HS-96-03 |
| Abstract | Erosion and resulting siltation from gems mining waste land in Khlung district is one of the major causes of the most important problems faced by the area, i.e. flooding in rainy season and shortage of water for agriculture in dry part of the year. Although there exists a law that requires the mining areas restored to their original states once the mining has come to an end, the implementation of the law is just not there. Large areas of former gems mines, therefore, exist in the upper most two sub-districts of Khlung, where most of the gems of Chanthaburi Province are found. Although some initiatives have been taken by the owners to rehabilitate this land and convert it into orchards, most of it is still in derelict state. The study at hand tries to evaluate the spatial extent of the damage to the landscape in the form of abandoned gems mines. It closely looks in the existing initiatives of rehabilitation and into the research being done in this direction or in a similar one. This study then moves on to evaluate financial as well as economic feasibility of the rehabilitation of these pieces of land into orchards of fruits commonly grown in the area. On the basis of results from the analysis it then recommends to the government the measures that can expedite restoration. A field survey was conducted for the sake of this study in which several individuals who have done rehabilitation were interviewed. The government departments related with mining, with research for its rehabilitation, and with the extension and economics of Agriculture were also contacted and useful infonnation collected. All the information from the field as well as that from literature was organised in a useable form. A financial cost benefit of mining wasteland rehabilitation into orchards was then conducted for different scenarios of sources of capital, of types of fruits, and of prices of output. This analysis was followed by an economic cost-benefit analysis that took into consideration the externalities of the rehabilitation as well. It can be inferred from the study that rehabilitation of gems mining waste land into orchards is, technically, not difficult. The major hurdle is lack of capital needed to finance rehabilitation activities. While it is financially feasible, by small profit margin, for those who could invest their own money for rehabilitation, it is not so for those who need to borrow money. If external benefits are included in calculations rehabilitation becomes feasible even for those who need to borrow money. As external benefits are not received by the rehabilitators themselves government should compensate. Provision of interest free Joans for rehabilitation or correction of landform of mining wasteland by government is proposed. It will make rehabilitation feasible for poorer farmers and will provide added incentive to richer ones for the same. |
| Year | 1996 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. HS-96-03 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Human Settlement (HS) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kammeier, H. Detlef; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tewari, V. K.;Thapa, G. B.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD);Asian Institute of Technology Funding; |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1996 |