Investigating the Factors Affecting the Participation of Rural and Nomadic Communities in Sustainable Management of Natural Resources: A Case Study of Wild Pistachio and Wild Almond Forests in Baft county

Authors

• shoja mousapour syahjel ¹
• Mahmood Hashemi tabar ²
• mahdi safdari ³

¹ PhD Student in Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan , Faculty of Economics, Zahedan, Iran.

² Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan , Faculty of Economics, Zahedan, Iran.

³ Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, University of Sistan and Baluchestan , Faculty of Economics, Zahedan, Iran.

10.30495/jzpm.2021.26554.3782

Abstract

In Kerman desert province, the forest part in Baft county largely covered by wild pistachio and wild almond trees is of great significance. During the last two decades, the forest areas of Baft County have faced a crisis and the challenge of destruction due to the disruption of the natural cycle and the lack of awareness of communities about the importance of forests. Therefore, it is necessary to develop appropriate planning to prevent further degradation and comprehensive management in order to preserve and rehabilitate these forests. Therefore, the present study purposes to investigate the factors affecting the local participation of rural and nomadic forest dwellers and to examine the willingness to change the management structure from public to local management to protect and prevent deforestation in Baft county using the logit regression model. We studied nomadic villages and settlements as a case study and for the data required for the research, 197 questionnaires were designed using the Likert scale and in the summer and autumn of 1398 randomly among rural residents Nomads living in the forest basin were distributed and collected. Stata15 and N Logit 5 software were used for model estimation and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Statistical results showed that men with a participation of 72% are more inclined to participate in forest protection than women with a participation of 28%. Findings of the Logit regression model showed that socio-economic variables, variables of internal ecosystem threats and forestry association variables have a significant effect at the levels of 1%, 5% and 10% on the participation model to protect and prevent deforestation. Also, the model simulation on the three variables of age, education and income confirmed the output of the logit model. According to the research findings, regional policymakers are highly advised to form forestry associations with the participation of local communities in the forest areas around the villages and nomadic settlements to protect and prevent deforestation. Also, by adjusting the type of forest ownership from the government to the local community, forests can be protected against any threat or crisis.

Keywords

• Participatory forestry
• Rural and nomadic
• Baft county
• Logit model

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