People Participation in Forest Resource Conservation at Pa Phu Ra-ngum National Reserved Forest, Waeng Yai and Chonnabot Districts, Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

The Objectives of this study were to investigate socio-economic characteristics, levels of people participation and factors affecting people participation in forest resource conservation at Pa Phu Ra-ngum national reserved forest, Waeng Yai and Chonnabot districts, Khon Kaen province. Data collection was conducted by using the designed questionnaires and interviewed 291 sample household heads during from June 2012 to March 2013 (totally 10 months). Statistical analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, maximum, minimum, standard deviation, t-test and F-test given statistical significance level at .05

            The Results revealed that most of the respondent were male (61.51%) with average an age of 52.86 years. They mostly graduated the primary school level (77.66%). The average number of household member was 4.41 persons and the average number of household labour was 3.47 persons. Agriculture were their main and minor occupations with 57.73 and 46.74 percent, respectively. Average household net income was 110,257.22 bahts per year. The average size of land holding was 16.57 rais. Most of the respondent were social group member being and had training experience. They received information about forest resource conservation and acquainted with forest officers as well as they had knowledge about forest resource conservation at the high level. People participation in the forest resource conservation was at medium level with an average score of 3.39. In addition, factors affecting the people participation in the forest resource conservation were educational level, number of household labour, main occupation, size of land holding, and knowledge about forest resource conservation. 

Keywords: People Participation, Forest Resource Conservation, Pa Phu Ra-ngum National Reserved Forest, Khon Kaen Province