Forest Conservation Behavior in Indonesia

Some studies have reported that villagers shaped their behavior more favorably toward forest conservation after their villages were electrified by micro hydro power (MHP). As a result, they reduced deforestation, reduced their intention toward forest cutting, and participated in reforestation programs. This study was to prove the findings and to answer the questions on how MHP may shape forest conservation behavior and what variables determine intention toward forest conservation behavior. The study uses the theory of planned behavior (TPB) as the model. Two studies were conducted: Study 1 compared the villagers living at the villages with MHP and those living at the villages with no MHP and Study 2 confirmed results in study 1 by contrasting participants at three villages: a village with no electricity, a village electrified by MHP for two years, and a village electrified by the grid for nine years. The results of the study are particularly important for professionals, NGOs, government agencies, and anybody who concern about forest conservation and the massive deforestation of the world forests.

Autorentext

I Wayan G. Santika, MSc is a teaching staff at the Mechanical Engineering Department, State Polytechnic of Bali. His research interest is in energy and consumers. dr.ir Lex Lemmens is the Educational Director of M.Sc. Sustainable Energy Technology and the Director of Centre Technology for Sustainable Development, Eindhoven University of Technology