Factors Affecting People’s Participation in Natural Resource Conservation

Abstract

This research regarding natural resource conservation aimed to analyze: 1) participation by people; 2) factors affecting the participation of people; and 3) problems and obstacles. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources from people in Sansai district, Chiang Mai. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 396 respondents. Participation was measured by the number of relevant practices in the areas of soil, water and forestry. The average annual rate of participation in natural resource conservation by the respondents was five times per person. Participation usually involved people joining the Tambon’s administrative organizations, community organizations or other government agencies rather than by their own initiative. Important activities involved natural resource development, maintenance and campaigning for participation by people in forestry activities, which was considered more important than with regard to soil and water, respectively. Factors affecting people’s participation in natural resource conservation were salary and community organization membership. The main problems and obstacles with regard to natural resource conservation were lack of budget, lack of awareness of the negative impact caused by the depletion of natural resources, insufficient environmental conservation knowledge and environmental conservation information, and a lack of cooperation and communication among relevant organizations. The essential recommendations with regard to natural resource conservation for the targeted groups to practice in order to achieve their goals were to increase efficiency and to create cooperation among the relevant organizations, including government and private agencies, by using a Memorandum of Understanding or formalizing official cooperation with a clear time schedule, an ultimate goal, and intensive continuous practice.

Keywords: people’s participation, natural resource conservation