Participation of Hilltribes in Forest Resource Conservation in Area of Nam Sod Watershed Management Unit, Thung Chang District, Nan Province

Abstract

     Objectives of the study were to determine the socio-economic conditions and participation levels, and to compare participation levels of hilltribes with different socio-economic characteristics in forest resource conservation in area of Nam Sod Watershed Management, Thung Chang District, Nan Province. Using accidental sampling, data were collected using questionnaires to interview 172 sampled hilltribes residing in Ban Phu-Khum, Ngop sub-district, and Ban Nam-Sod Kao and Ban Nam-Sod Mai, Lae sub-district, Thung Chang district, Nan Province. F-test was used for hypothesis testing at significance level of .05. Results of the study indicated that most of the respondents were Hmong ethnic group with average family members of 5.8 and land holding size of 30.94 rai. The average length of resettlement was 44.17 years. Their main occupation was agriculture. Their average annual household income and expenditure were 49,767.44 and 39,825.58 Baht, respectively. The level of their participation in forest resource conservation in area of Nam Sod Watershed Management Unit was high with the average score of 3.88. Moreover, participation levels of hilltribes in forest resource conservation in this watershed area significantly varied in ethnicity, number of household members and land holding size.