From Shifting Cultivation Hills to Sacred Headwater Forests: Institutional Change Under Religious Influence of Communities in Chiang Mai Province

Abstract

This academic article was to analyze institutional changes in natural resource management on Doi Sai, Ban Hang Luang, Na Kien Subdistrict, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province, under the influence of the establishment of Sangha residence. It integrated three theoretical frameworks: Putnam's social capital, Ostrom's concept of collective resource management, and Douglas C. North's concept of institutional change. In terms of institutional analysis, Buddhism functioned as an informal institution comprising norms, values, and moral taboos deeply ingrained in the community's way of life. These institutions modified the motivational structures of members, leading to gradual changes in rules and resource use behavior. This aligned with North's proposal that institutional change often occurred through cultural accumulation rather than external enforcement. The study found that the arrival of Buddhist monks acted as a catalyst in building social capital through religious mechanisms and networks of trust. This resulted in effective management of collective resources based on Ostrom's principles, which included clearly defined resource boundaries, the creation of shared rules, participatory decision-making, and a community oversight system. Significant changes included a shift in land use patterns from shifting cultivation to watershed forest conservation, the consensus to end the use of agricultural chemicals, and the development of participatory infrastructure. The study revealed that social capital in the form of trust, norms of mutual assistance, and networks connected through Buddhism were crucial foundations for sustainable collective resource management. The Doi Sai model demonstrated potential for scaling up to other communities. However, it was necessary to consider the specific context of each area and the continuity of the transmission of values to future generations to maintain the long-term sustainability of the institution. This aligned with North's concept of historical dependence, which indicated that cultural continuity was a key factor in the stability of institutions.