Development of Activities to Enhance Public Consciousness on the Conservation of Natural Resources and Environment of the Communities’ Upstream Lao Youth, Chiangrai Province

Abstract

     The three main objectives of this study were 1) To examine the context of the development of public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environment of youth in the upstream Mae Lao River communities, 2) To study the factors affecting the public consciousness in conservation of natural resources and environment of youth in Mae Lao watersheds community, and 3) To advance development activities to enhance public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environment of youth in Mae Lao watersheds community, Chiangrai Province. The samples included parents of students, teachers of social subjects, community leader, school director totally 87 people and students in Maechedi Mai totally 340 people. Data collection by interviewing and observation was analyzed by conclusion and classification. In addition, data collection by the questionnaire was analyzed by percentage, mean, standard deviation, and multiple regression analysis (MRA). In order to develop a model for building public awareness on the conservation of natural resources and the environment, focus group discussion was conducted. Last but not least, the patterns were detected its qualification by seven experts.

     The research found that, Context of developing public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environment of youth in Mae Lao watershed community, Chiang Rai Province: Mae Lao watershed community organized activities to encourage youth participation slightly. While the school promoted the development of public awareness activities according to the curriculum, but not yet integrated courses together. Examples of youth activities were community survey, garbage cleaning, fermented fertilizer, forest ordination, and etc. Moreover, some families gathered together to plant trees, to make fire barriers, and to slow stream of water, and etc. Factors affecting public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environment among youth in Mae Lao watersheds community, Chiangrai Province: There were four factors included self-learning, family, society, and activity for improving quality of life could predict public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environmental as 64.10 percent with the 0.01 and 0.05 level of statistical signification. Activities to enhance public awareness on conservation of natural resources and environment among youth in Mae Lao watersheds community, Chiangrai Province: There were six series of events included a series of knowledge activities such as knowledge supplementary and thinking process enhancement, a series of attitude development activities for example involvement of community participation and community exploration, and a series of behavioral development activities for instance self-value development and creative and positive thinking development.