Demographic Analysis of Villager's Perception toward Environmental Sustainability of Rural Areas in Baghmalek Township, Khuzestan Province

The goal of this descriptive survey research was to demographic analysis of villagers’ perception toward environmental sustainability of rural areas in Baghmalek Township. Statistical population of the study was rural households in central region of Baghmalek township located at Khuzestan Province (N=3005). Sample size determined via Krejcie and Morgan’s table (n=341). Sampling method was proportional stratified random sampling. Research instrument was questionnaire. Face and content validity of the questionnaire revised and verified by panel of experts. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a pilot test was conducted then Cronbach’s Alpha was calculated (α=0.80). Descriptive results showed that villagers’ perception toward environmental sustainability was less than moderate level. Results of Compare mean tests showed that there was a significant difference between perceptions of villagers who have participated in natural resource projects and those who have not participated toward environmental sustainability (ES). Results of One way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference between perceptions of villagers with different occupations toward ES. Results of Correlation analysis showed that variable such as: duration of residence in the village and literacy had significant and negative relationships with perceptions of villagers toward ES. Moreover, size of agricultural land had a significant and positive relationship with perceptions of villagers toward ES.