In exposing environmental worries that threaten livelihood [excessive logging, fishing, environmental degradation, poor resource management, etc.] these organizations are capable of educating people who are seen on the edge of political approach. Marginal groups are given a voice through the NGO propaganda. They are elevated from sovereignty and submission to governmentality, NGOs construct a citizenry that is capable of protecting their freedoms (Bryant, 2002). Practices of citizenship are only possible so long as one is aware and free to demand one's rights. As in the example of Biodiversity Conservation in the Philippines where protests and collective action was used to create priority sites, funding was allotted while citizens' participation was encouraged and awareness created by education. These and other NGOs in all Southeast Asian regions mentioned in the readings target people not only because their services are required to put forth action, but also because it is often commercial activity that threatens the environment in the first place.
So if protests are headed off by 'activists' from these organizations, and regions in the world are arranged on a priority list of Hotspots, is that such a high price to pay where the alternative is to be subjugated and have no room for political protest or challenge.
There are regions in the world, mentioned in the readings, like Mekong where there is no political room for non-governmental challenges and critiques. In places like these the environmental concern is discussed at either the regional or supranational level only, by NGOs. How then is it so bad that other regions where NGOs did create awareness and won concessions for themselves, has seen a logical scaling up of responses. The reason I feel that these interventions are propitious to these natural resource based communities is because there is no alternative for the member of an obscure village on the outskirts of political recognition to become aware and influence the environment that is his subsistence.
And according to Hircsh there is a shift in the winds in Thailand. There is a move from NGO representation to people's own organizations whose members and leadership come from affected communities. This I believe is a natural progression from NGO led organizations. While NGOs shift their role from action to support in an equation that requires both local and non-localized action, simultaneously.
Environmental concerns may often be set secondary to economic needs of countries that are developing their base and stance on the global stage. This however does not make environmental awareness unimportant. Here is where the NGOs have given exposure to the communities that will care and given them the power to act on their concerns.
