Mosayeb Heshmati; Yayah Parvizi; Mohamad Gheitury; Mojtaba Sanee; Samad Shadfar; Masud Goodarzi
Abstract
Abstract: land degradation, air pollution, food deficient, poverty as well as inequality are the main challenges worldwide. However, overcome these challenges are impossible without local inhabitants’ participation. The objective of this research was to evaluate the watershed management measures ...
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Abstract: land degradation, air pollution, food deficient, poverty as well as inequality are the main challenges worldwide. However, overcome these challenges are impossible without local inhabitants’ participation. The objective of this research was to evaluate the watershed management measures which measured through joint project by Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Organization (FRWM) and Middle East and North Africa Regions Program for Integrated Development (MENARID) in Razin watershed, Kermanshah, Iran during 2013-16. Local inhabitants were interviewed using questionnaire. The results explored that constructed measures comprise the pit- seeding, rain-fed orchard, stony dam, gabion and dyke. However, most of respondents did not agree with biological measures (pit- seeding, rain-fed orchard) due to limitation for their animal grazing, persuading land-use change and enhancing conflicts among them, while rare inhabitants were willing to rain-fed orchard due to their expects on rangeland ownership and loan opportunity. Approximately 85% of local people confirmed that they did not consult or collaborated during watershed management measures, although they had environmental friend ideas. They believed that mechanical measures are impossible solutions in terms of soil conservation, flood control, runoff harvesting and supplemental irrigation. Overall, local communities worried about climate change and its sever negative impacts on agricultural activities and livelihood, thus watershed management and governance should be taken urgent steps overcome or adapting hits of droughts due to their literacy and experience during recent years. It is concluded that local inhabitant's ideas and their participations should be considered as the necessary step to obtain the effective results and sustaining watershed management measures.
