Factors affecting people's engagement in the implemented natural resources plans at Khorasan Razavi Province

Social participation is an important factor in the social, economic and cultural development of human societies. Engagement in natural resources management also plays an important role towards sustainable development and is an important approach to achieve goals and to success in natural resource plans. In this regard, this research aims to investigate factors affecting people's participation in the implemented natural resource plans by conducting a questionnaire survey in the counties of Sarakhs (the villages of Bazangan, Zalughal, and Kalateh Awaz), Torbat Jam (the villages of Musa Abad, Tamink Olya, Tamink Sofla, and Kalate Ghazi), and Kashmar (the villages of Jardavi, Baharieh, and Ghochpalang), Khorasan Razavi Province, Iran. For sampling, out of 3077 households of these ten villages, 807 households were randomly selected and surveyed by cluster systematic method. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS and Amos software. Structural equations were modeled for visual and graphic design. The main indices and fitting coefficients of the model were identified. The results of the statistical tests showed that people had willingness to participate in the plans and some factors had a significant impact on public participation in the region, such as economic profitability of the plans, education, employment, social conflicts, and environmental attractions (sig <0.05). As a result, these factors should be strengthened and given more consideration for the future successful implementation of natural resource plans. Finally, identifying these factors in each region will be an important step in the success of any plan.