Factors affecting participation in forest management programs in rural community in the north of Iran

Subject Areas : natural resorces

Kiomars Sefidi ¹ (Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. *(Corresponding Authours).)
Elaheh Alibabaie ² (Departments of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.)
Morteza Moridi ³ (Departments of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.)

Received: 2016-08-29 Accepted : 2017-02-01 Published : 2019-07-23

Keywords: Theory of planned behavior (TPB), Women participation, Trust, Sustainable rural development,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Nowadays, participation of local communities has been recognized as a suitable approach to reach sustainable forest management. Participation of local communities in conservational projects and forest management can ensure the sustainable management of forest. Method: This study aims to investigate the factors affecting social acceptability and intention to participate rural communities in forest management using field survey and questionnaire in Najardeh village near the Kheyrood forest in the north of Iran. The conceptual model used in this research was examined by defining 9 hypotheses, modeling structural equations and confirmatory factor analysis. Findings: Statistical test results showed no significant difference between men and women tendencies to participate. Among the whole variables related to the respondents, education and occupational status of people did not show a significant difference in terms of tendency to participate. The results of correlation study and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the subjective norm is the most important factor affecting the tendency of villagers to participate in forest management and social acceptability of the project. Moreover, simplicity of the participation and the perceived usefulness positively and directly affect the tendency of villagers to participate in forestry projects. Discussion and Conclusion: Accordingly, if the goal is to increase rural participation in forestry projects, then building trust and enhancing the knowledge of villagers about the simplicity and usefulness of participation can be helpful.

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