Factors Affecting the Participation of Villagers in Environmental Protection (Case Study: Villages of Qaleh-e-Tel Rural District of Baghmalek County)

Natural resources are one of the inseparable parts of human life, and the participation of villagers in the maintenance and protection of natural resources is essential. This research was conducted in 2014 with the aim of determining the effective factors on the participation of villagers (Baghmolek city in Khuzestan province) in environmental protection.

  The random sample of this research consists of 254 villagers from Qala Tal village of Baghmelk city, who were randomly selected using the sampling method. Data collection in this research was done using a researcher-made questionnaire. After preparing the questionnaire and confirming its face validity by experts, its reliability was confirmed by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient for different research variables. In order to determine the effective factors on the participation of villagers in environmental protection, step-by-step regression analysis was used.

Fidings: 

 The results showed that the correlation test between research variables has a positive and significant relationship and the four variables of challenges, desire, government-motivational factors and social-psychological factors are able to significantly predict (R2 = 0.48) the changes They are an effective variable on the participation of villagers in environmental protection.

Since willingness is an effective factor on the participation of villagers, it is suggested that more emphasis be placed on the participation of villagers in holding training courses. More emphasis should be placed on participating in education classes related to the environment, reporting news related to environmental destruction and talking about the importance of the environment to friends and acquaintances. Government-motivational factors are suggested for the participation of villagers in environmental protection.