Journal of

The purpose of this study was to identify the barriers of local peoples' participation in forest conservation plans. The research population included 240 Local rural households in Gilan – e – Gharb, Kermanshah. A number of 144 people were randomly selected using Morgan's sampling size table. A questionnaire was used as a main tool in this study. The content and face validity of the questionnaire was verified by a panel of experts. The reliability of the questionnaire estimated by Cranach's alpha coefficient (0.737). Factor analysis was used for finding the most important barriers. Four key factors were identified as the most important barriers in people participation programs in forest conservation plans. These factors were socio-cultural, economic, organizational and educational barriers.