Socio-economic impacts on the attitudes towards conservation of natural resources: Case study from Serbia

This paper presents data from a case study of local people in the village Rastiste within the boundaries of the Tara National Park. Since 1981 Tara National Park was established and from the time of its inception the local people were antagonistic towards it. Questionnaire survey data were used to examine peoples' attitudes towards the Tara NP. Local people's attitudes towards conservation area depend on some socio-economic variables. The results indicate that conservation attitudes were mainly influenced by education, age of respondents, gender and whether they have worked for national park or not. Education and awareness programmes should focus on local people to increase participation in conservation and management activities and improve attitudes. The findings indicate the need to implement participatory approaches as a means of promoting sustainable use of natural resources. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.