Assessment of Human’s Attitude Towards Natural Resource Conservation in Protected Area in Thailand

Abstract

Attitude of residing people towards a protected forest area was evaluated for sustainable use of natural resources and forest conservation in the Phu Kao–PhuPhan Kham National Park in Thailand. Their economic and social conditions were assessed in three villages of Phukao, NongBua Lamphu Province. Data were collected from 348 households (66.5%) heads or the representatives in the villages with the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: (i) general economic and social information (ii) social grouping and participation and (iii) attitude toward participation in conserving natural resources and tourism management in this area. To evaluate their attitude, the collected data were divided into four categories: (i) level 4 equilibrium/nature (ii) level 3 warning (iii) level 2 risk (iv) level 1 crisis for forest conservation in the protected area. Overall, their attitude towards natural resource conservation, the social grouping and the community participation was very low. However, the attitude towards ecotourism is very high. We suggest that forest conservation will be maintained by more progress of ecotourism in this area.

Keywords

• Human attitude
• Natural resources
• Sustainable management
• National park