People Participation in Kanchanaburi Municipality on International Importance of Wetlands Conservation: Case Study of Khwae Yai River Wetland, Kanchanaburi Province

Abstract

Wetlands provide many benefits and functions for humans and the environment. However globally, wetlands face increasing threats, leading to losses in these crucial ecosystems. People participation plays an important role in wetlands conservation. This research studied people participation in Kanchanaburi Municipality and the factors affecting their participation in the conservation of the Khwae Yai River Wetland. Data were collected using a questionnaire and interviewing 391 households in Kanchanaburi Municipality based on simple random sampling. The collected data were analyzed using t-tests and F-tests at the significance level of 0.05. 

Based on the results, most respondents were female in the age range 41–50 years old. Most respondents had been educated to the bachelor’s degree level. The most common occupation was in business with a monthly income of THB 10,000–20,000 and the average duration of residence was 34.13 years. More than one-half of the respondents had received conservation information (69.3%) but nearly all were not members of a conservation group (92.8%) and many had never received conservation training (65.0%). There was some opinion that the Khwae Yai River had seen positive changes (29.9%). Furthermore, knowledge about wetlands was at a high level ( = 6.86), as was knowledge about wetland conservation ( = 11.01). However, participation in Khwae Yai River Wetland conservation was at a moderate level ( = 2.61) and ecosystem services obtained from the Wetland were also at a moderate level ( = 3.50). Additionally, factors affecting people participation in Kanchanaburi Municipality in Khwae Yai River wetland conservation included: occupation, monthly income, knowledge about wetlands and wetland conservation, opinions about the Khwae Yai River situation and ecosystem services obtained from wetland. Therefore, it is recommended that the related agencies develop a wetland management plan to ensure connectivity and continuity in promoting community participation in wetland conservation.