The Study of the Significance of Community Forest Management Factors as Perceived by the People: A Case Study of Don Yang Community Forest, Lux Muang Sub-district, Kamalasai District, Karasin Province

Abstract

The research aimed to study the significant of factors in community forest management, compare their importance, and study the problems and obstacles in managing the Don Yang community forest. The sample comprised household heads or representatives aged 20 and above in three villages near the Don Yang community forest: Ban Hua Kwa, Moo 8, Moo 12; and Ban Hua Nong, Moo 11, totaling 170 households. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula. Research tools used are questionnaires and statistics, including mean, standard deviation, t-test, and F-test. Qualitative data are analyzed through content analysis.

The research findings indicated that the importance level of factors in managing the Don Yang community forest overall and by aspect is high. The average scores, ranked from highest to lowest, were as follows: factors related to community forest utilization, factors related to community forest development, factors related to community forest conservation, factors related to community forest restoration, and factors related to community forest control and supervision. People with different genders, ages, education levels, occupations, and household establishment durations hold similar opinions on the overall importance and specific aspects of managing the Don Yang community forest. Problems and obstacles in managing the Don Yang community forest included a lack of cooperation, and a lack of awareness of forest conservation.