Community Perception and Participation in Watershed and Wasteland Management in Harekala Village, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India

This study investigates community perception and participation in watershed and wasteland management in Harekala Village, Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from 141 respondents through a structured questionnaire. Structural equation modeling (SEM), independent sample t-test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to examine the relationships between community perception, participation, trust in local authorities, gender, and education level. The results revealed that watershed management significantly enhances community participation, both directly and indirectly through trust in local authorities. By contrast, wasteland management showed no significant impact on participation, indicating potential challenges in program design or community engagement. Significant gender- and education-based differences in participation were observed, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive and educationally inclusive approaches. These findings underscore the critical role of trust, social factors, and perceptions in the success of environmental programs. Practical implications include improving communication transparency, strengthening community trust, and redesigning wasteland programs for better engagement. This study contributes to socio-ecological theory and offers insights into sustainable environmental management in rural India.