Motivation and factors affecting Indigenous People's willingness to participate in future REDD+ project activities: the case of Tagal Hutan in Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

The Kadazandusun people of Sabah have practiced traditional forest management of tagal hutan or prohibited forests. An official development assistance (ODA) project under REDD+ implementation scheme targets tagal hutan forests in Sabah, with the participation of the indigenous people. Through the theory of planned behaviour, this study assesses the link between attitude, social norms, customary norms, and perceived behaviour control on Kadazandusun people's intentions to participate in future REDD+ project activities. We found out that attitude and perceived behaviour control affect intentions to participate in future REDD+ project activities meanwhile social norm and customary norm were otherwise. Socio-demographic factors, such as household size, age, and prior experience as leaders or committee members in the village, also influence the intentions to participate in future REDD+ project activities. This study may help predict the acceptance of REDD+ activities among indigenous people in Sabah and help design more effective REDD+ projects.