Phase II of Natural Resources Participatory Conservation Project Launched in Kohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province

Deputy for Conservation and Land Affairs of FRWO visited the Sialab and Kalvar region inKohgiluyeh and Boyerahmad Province and inaugurated the second phase of Natural Resources Participatory Conservation.

Deputy for Conservation and Land Affairs of FRWO said that in the first step of the implementation of the Conservation pilot project in the Sialab and Kalvar region, the destruction and illegal cutting of the trees has reduced to a considerable amount and in the three years after its implementation, some 60% of the cases of illegal exploitation in the area have been reduced.

Mansour said that through the implementation of the second phase project, the local communities would be involved in the implementation of the natural resources activities, such as forest pests control, planting of seedlings, medicinal plants development, prevention and control of forest fires in the natural resources.

Dr. Jafarian Director General of Extension & Public Participation Bureau regarding the participation of the people in the conservation and restoration of forests and pastures said that in the strategic policies of FRWO, the public participation is accepted as a principle.

Vahid Jafarian added: "No action will be taken in this area unless it is accompanied by effective involvement of local communities through participatory mechanisms.

He explained that based on new approaches to natural resources management the needs of the communities should be firstly identified and appropriate alternative livelihoods introduced.

Finally, he concluded that the sustainable management of natural resources can be realized through the implementation of participatory conservation activities in harmony with the integrated management of watershed basin plan throughout the country.