ASSESSING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN NATURAL CONSERVATION AND ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIES IN JELI, KELANTAN

Abstract

Sustainable tourism seeks to balance environmental conservation with socio-economic development, particularly in forest-dependent rural districts such as Jeli, Kelantan. This study aims to assess the level of community involvement in conservation and ecotourism initiatives. A cross-sectional survey of 219 household heads from three villages was conducted, complemented by rapid rural appraisal and consultations with community leaders. Participation was measured across four dimensions, which are planning, implementation, monitoring, and benefit-sharing. Results of studies using an engagement index were analyzed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The findings indicate moderate overall participation (Engagement Index = 0.33), with stronger involvement in benefit-sharing (0.53) and implementation (0.30), but comparatively low engagement in planning (0.26) and monitoring (0.24), suggesting functional rather than empowered participation. Perceived benefits were largely environmental and social, while direct economic gains were limited. Regression results reveal that knowledge exposure (B = 0.28, p < .001) and association membership (B = 0.18, p = .01) significantly predict participation, whereas years of formal education do not, with the model explaining 23% of variance (R² = 0.23). This study contributes new district-level empirical evidence on participation dynamics in rural Malaysia. It highlights the critical role of environmental knowledge and social capital in strengthening inclusive governance, offering practical insights for designing more participatory and resilient ecotourism frameworks.