Socio-Economic Determinants of Community Attitudes Toward Environmental Resources Conservation, Community Development in Kamar Community Game Reserve, Kohat Pakistan

Abstract

Community-based conservation (CBC) is widely recognized as an effective approach to achieving biodiversity conservation while supporting local livelihoods. This study examines the socio-economic determinants that shape community attitudes toward wildlife conservation in the Kamar Community Game Reserve (KCGR), Kohat District, Pakistan, and explores their implications for natural resource management (NRM), community development, and environmental protection. Data were collected from 150 households through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses were applied to identify the influence of demographic and economic factors such as age, education, income, livestock ownership, and resource dependency on conservation attitudes. Results reveal that higher education, diversified income sources, and lower dependence on forest resources are strongly associated with positive conservation attitudes, whereas households with greater reliance on grazing and fuelwood extraction exhibit negative attitudes. The findings suggest that strengthening alternative livelihoods, promoting awareness programs, and integrating local communities in decision-making can enhance conservation outcomes while contributing to sustainable development goals. The study recommends incentive-based mechanisms and policy interventions to align conservation strategies with socio-economic realities, thereby fostering ecological sustainability and community resilience.