Seyed Hamidreza Sadeghi; Roghayeh Alipour; Hasan Fereydoni; Fatemeh Zahra Enayati; Alireza Pakravan; Reza Yaghoti; Mitra Moradnezhad; Fatemeh Esmailzadeh Ashini; Fatemeh Abdolbaghi; Sahar Mousavian; Reza Chamani; Marjan Bahlekeh; Hamed Beigi
Abstract
Extended abstract
Introduction
Today, the destruction of natural resources has increased the possibility of shortages and crises of resources needed for human well-being. Therefore, to prevent further land degradation, it has become necessary to develop effective policies and strategies. In this regard, ...
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Extended abstract
Introduction
Today, the destruction of natural resources has increased the possibility of shortages and crises of resources needed for human well-being. Therefore, to prevent further land degradation, it has become necessary to develop effective policies and strategies. In this regard, significant costs are spent every year on protecting natural resources and controling their degradation in the form of studies and executive projects, which in most cases do not meet the desired standard and require a comprehensive and systematic plan. In this regard, the country's watershed management faces many problems and challenges, which must be addressed by new approaches to comprehensive watershed management, taking into account all effective and influential aspects of watersheds.
Materials and methods
In this research, first, a review of the detailed-executive studies of the Daftabad Watershed in South Khorasan Province, Iran was conducted with the aim of identifying the problems of the watershed. Also, the necessary visits were made to understand the watershed as much as possible. Then, a list of the problems and challenges of the region was prepared and placed in a fishbone diagram. The study evaluated the six pillars of comprehensive watershed management, viz., legal, policy, economic, social, cultural, and knowledge, and addressed their position in the watershed management ladder.
Results and discussion
The research evaluation shows that although research studies and a watershed management unit have been included in the watershed, the failure to implement a watershed health and sustainability approach has caused the Daft Abad Watershed to be placed on the research-implementation rung of the watershed ladder. The research assessment shows that current approaches to managing the Daftabad Watershed face serious challenges. Several factors, including inappropriate management patterns, climate change, lack of active participation of local communities, lack of investment, lack of exploitation of economic opportunities and capabilities of the region, and existing socio-economic issues, have exposed this watershed to serious vulnerability. Also, the lack of assessment of the various needs of the population, especially the needs of women in different age groups, has led to the lack of various solutions for population management in the short- and long-term. On the other hand, utilizing the economic capabilities of the Daft Abad Watershed, especially in agriculture and barberry cultivation, to produce products, market the produced products, and expand ecotourism can reduce general poverty and strengthen the economy of local communities. In this regard, utilizing the economic capabilities of watersheds in order to produce products, market the produced products, and expand ecotourism can reduce general poverty and strengthen the economy of local communities. In general, by observing the approaches mentioned in this research and promoting detailed executive studies, the current trend of watersheds can be improved, and the waste of water and soil resources, the continuous migration of people to larger cities, and environmental problems can be reduced. Therefore, this program requires the active participation of all stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and local communities in the design and implementation. Strengthening the participation of local communities, policy-making and planning that is appropriate for the health and sustainability of the area investing in various sectors and infrastructure, supporting vulnerable groups, as well as paying attention to Indigenous knowledge and local experiences, along with using scientific and specialized knowledge, can significantly contribute to the success of this program.
Conclusions
This study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive and participatory approach, providing solutions for improving the management of the Daftabad Watershed. The results can serve as a model for managers and policymakers in natural resource and watershed management, highlighting the need for holistic and inclusive strategies to ensure sustainable development and resilience. Accordingly, it is recommended that managers and planners at various levels of management, while paying significant attention to the participation of local communities, prioritize the evaluation, monitoring, and measurement of the effects of implemented projects so that in the long-term, they can simultaneously preserve and restore healthy watersheds and prevent the migration of watershed residents to neighboring cities and the emergence of numerous problems in those cities.
