Suitability Analysis of Religious Establishments within the Buddharaksa Community Forest: A Case Study of EAR and EC Zones

This research aims to analyze the appropriateness of establishing religious sites within the Buddharaksa Community Forest, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The study involves the preparation of an Environmental Accounting Report (EAR) and an Environmental Checklist (EC), supplemented by forest-zoning data, watershed classifications and the actual geographic context of the national reserved forest area located in Nong Nam Sai Subdistrict. The findings indicate that all four religious establishments play a highly significant role within the local community; however, they differ markedly in terms of environmental suitability. Wat Pa Phu Saeng Thong Phieng Fa (Village 7) is situated within Watershed Class 1A, an upstream conservation zone, which presents high environmental sensitivity and requires strict land-use control. In contrast, Wat Photithammaphavana, Wat Pongket, and Wat Than Nam Thip (Village 15) are located within Watershed Class 4, Zone E, which carries lower environmental risk and is more compatible with community-oriented land use. Under the EC assessment, Wat Photithammaphavana and Wat Pongket show high levels of necessity for local residents based on their roles in rituals, traditions and community activities. Meanwhile, Wat Pa Phu Saeng Thong Phieng Fa holds strong spiritual significance and serves as a strategic point for forest patrol activities. In conclusion, although all religious establishments within the Buddharaksa Community Forest are essential to the community, each area requires differentiated management approaches. EAR–EC results combined with forest mapping provide a foundational framework for formulating sustainable management guidelines for religious establishments located within forest zones.