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

Ananya  Popradit; Atsushi  Ishida; Takehiko  Murayama; Thares  Srisatit; Tatsanawalai  Utarasakul; Somboon  Kiratiprayoon; Roj  Khun Anake; Somkid  Outtaranakorn

Authors

Ananya Popradit Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd. Phatumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Atsushi Ishida Center for Ecological Research, Kyoto University, Otsu, Shiga 520-2113, Japan.
Takehiko Murayama Tokyo Institute of Technology, Nagatsuta, Midori- ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, 226-8502, Japan
Thares Srisatit Graduate School of Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd. Phatumwan Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
Tatsanawalai Utarasakul Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, 10300, Thailand.
Somboon Kiratiprayoon Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, 99 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road, KlongLuang, Rangsit, Prathumthani 12121 Thailand.
Roj Khun Anake Thammasat University, 99 Moo 18 Paholyothin Road, KlongLuang, Rangsit, Prathumthani 12121 Thailand.
Somkid Outtaranakorn Wildlife and Plant Conservation, 61 Pholyothin Road, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.

Keywords:

Human attitude, Natural resources, Sustainable management, National park, Conservation

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.

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