Abstract:
The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to investigate the level of peoples participation in natural resource conservation, a case of Phanom Dongrak Sanctuary in Srisaket Province, Thailand, and (2) to identify the problems and suggestions in natural resource conservation of Phanom Dongrak Sanctuary.
This survey study employed the people aged 11 years and over residing in and within 5 kilometers around the Sanctuary. One member of 5,021 households sampled was selected by using the stratified random sampling technique. A total of 355 participants were obtained. The research instrument was a five scale rating questionnaire and interview. The statistics utilized for data analysis included percentage, frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test.
The findings of the study were as follows:
The overall participation of the people in natural resource conservation of Phanom Dongrak Sanctuary was found to be at a medium level with the average mean scores at 2.57. Looking closer at the different aspects of the participation, it was found that the participation in conservation operation was rated highest at mean score 2.59, followed by the participation in natural resource exploitation at 2.58, the participation in following up at 2.55, and the participation in planning at 2.54.
For the comparison of the level of the peoples participation on the basis of independent variables, it was found that overall there was no significant difference between male and female respondents in their every aspect of participation. This probable resulted from the gender equality in modern society. This was similar to the result of the comparison of the level of participation among people with different occupations. However, with the people aged 11 to 20 years, it was found they were likely to be more participating in planning, conservation activities, and the use of natural resources than their different age counterparts. This may derive form the fact that they had attended trainings of resource conservation more that people of other age ranges. From the educational level comparison, the people obtaining high school certificates were found to be likely joining in conservation activities more than people obtaining high school certificates were found to be likely joining in conservation activities more than people with other educational qualifications. Interestingly, it was also found that people with bachelor degrees tended to use more natural resources than those in other educational level spheres.
In terms of problems and suggestions of peoples participation in conservation of the Sanctuary, it was found that:
For the planning aspect the people were not informed about the conservation planning and the request for participation from the involved government bodies. Besides, many people were not interested in the conservation planning. Provision of trainings and public relation programs would be choices for the solution.
For the problem of participation in conservation activities, poverty was the main barricade preventing the people from the activities. They most of the time concentrated on earning a living for their families. They suggested that reservoirs, land management, and localized forests be provided more.
Regarding the problem of the use of natural resources, it was likely that they were offended when they were caught because of their illegally cutting down trees for their own uses. They did not trust in the government authorities and suggested that mediators such as NGOs be involved in the investigation of the honesty and strictness of the authorities.
For the participation of the follow up aspect, the people did not totally participate in the follow up and assessment of the planning and operation of the natural conservation. The causes of this matter were not provided but they suggested that more cooperation for the follow up and assessment of all activities held be established.