People Participation in the Conservation of Khao Rao Thian Tong Community Forest in Chai Nat Province

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to determine the level of people participation and factors affecting participation in the conservation of the Khao Rao Thian Tong Community Forest. The Khao Rao Thian Tong Community Forest was established in 1999, in Chai Nat province and covers an area of 993 rai. Data was collected by a designed questionnaire, with 83 respondents interviewed. Basic statistical analysis was used for each independent variable, involving percentage, mean and standard deviation, while a t-test and F-test were used for hypothesis testing.

The results of the study indicated a moderate level of people participation in the conservation of the Community Forest. Factors affecting people participation in the conservation of Khao Rao Thian Tong Community Forest at a significant level were social status and comprehension of conservation requirements for the community forest. There was no significant effect on the level of people participation in the conservation of Khao Rao Thian Tong Community Forest among the remaining factors of: gender, age, membership of the community forest conservation group, receiving information relating to the community forest conservation, attending related training courses on community forest conservation and expected benefits.

Keywords: participation, conservation, community forest