Factors Affecting People Participation in Forest Resource Conservation in Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to determine the socio-economic characteristics of people, the level of people participation and factors affecting people participation in forest resource conservation in the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary, Kanchanaburi province.  Data collection was conducted using designed questionnaires to interview 344 household heads.  A statistical software package was employed to calculate the percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test and F-test.

The results revealed that the most respondents were male with an age range between 40 and 49 years and they had graduated at primary school level.  Their main occupation was as an employee.  Their former domicile was in their community.  Most of them occupied their own land.  Their annual household income was less than 120,000 baht and was equivalent to expenditure.  Thus, most of them had no debt and were social group members.  Furthermore, they had comprehension and understanding about forest resource conservation at a rather high level.

            The people participation in the Salakpra Wildlife Sanctuary was at a moderate level.  Based on hypothesis testing, the factors significantly affecting people participation in forest resources in this wildlife sanctuary were: social status, education, main occupation, household income and expenses, debt, social group membership and comprehension and understanding about forest resource conservation.

Keywords: participation, conservation, forest resource, Salakpra wildlife sanctuary