The Participation in Forest Resource Conservation of Residents in Huai Mae Priang, Royal Project Area, Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

     The objectives of this study were to determine the socio-economic condition and factors relating to forest resource conservation of the communities located in Huai Mae Priang, Royal Project area. Questionaires were employed for interviewing 234 sampled household heads or the representatives. Statistical analysis methods were percentage, mean, and chi-square, with the given significance level of .05. Results of the study indicated that the majority of the respondents(67.9%) were male, with their age ranging from 36 to 45 years. Primary school was education level of the most. Their main and subsidiary occupation was agriculture and casual labor, respectively. The average size of their land holding was 18.53 rai. The average of annual household income was 48,857.27 baht, coming from both of main and subsidiary occupation with the values of 38,374.36 and 10,482.91 baht, respectively. Overall, the respondents had minimum knowledge and comprehension about forest law and forest resource conservation, while participation in forest conservation was at a moderate level. The relationship analysis indicated that main occupation, size of land holding, and knowledge and comprehension about forest resource conservation were factors significantly related to the forest resource conservation. Thus, in order to strengthen participation in forest resource conservation of communities in the study area, public relations program as well as training courses about forest resource conservation through related practical activities should be implemented immediately.