Community Participation for Water Conservation of Tapae Canal

Abstract

Community participation for water conservation of Tapae canal, Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province adopted a survey research design. This study aimed to identify community views, analysis of problems and suggestions pertinent to water conservation as well as to disseminate and apply related research insights for the canal. The participants were assessed before and after the intervention and later they apply what they have learned to activities for preservation of the canals. Statistics analysis was conducted in terms of mean, standard deviation, and t-test. Content analysis was also done for information obtained regarding results of field activities conducted from 22 February, 2011 to 14 September, 2012. Results showed that representatives from the community suggested the community together can preserve the canal by planting trees along its coast, preserve natural resources of the surrounding environment, and establish preservation networks so that members can collaboratively work to preserve it. They should not dispose garbage into the water, preserve its water source and promote continuous cooperation between government officials and local residents. With regards to the training for new insights gained from the study of canal ecology, biology of fish, and exploitation of land along Tapae canal for ecological conservation, participants showed great improvement after the training at .01 level of statistical significance. Similarly, their awareness before and after the training on the canal ecology and biology of fish also showed significant differences at .05 level of significance. Finally, their overall awareness of land exploitation along the canal for ecological conservation before and after the training showed a significant difference at .01 level.