Partnership Essential for People's Consent

Head of FRWO in the twentieth session of coordination committee for IWM implementation on Saturday said that without the collaboration of people, natural resources cannot be conserved. He added the result of the FRWO's activities in the natural resources management should be led to the people's satisfaction.

According to FRWO’s website, Khalil Aghaee, Deputy Minister and Head of FRWO said that people and local communities must play a key role in decision-making and implementation of natural resource projects and FRWO must facilitates the link with people.

He mentioned that the implementation of Para B of Article 29 of the National Development Plan is one of the mechanisms that promote the involvement of local people in natural resources management and said that the legislation will be effective as of November and natural resources directorate can sign contracts with cooperatives and NGOs.

Deputy Minister further praised the vital role of volunteers in nature conservation and said: “volunteer groups should be increased and all villagers should be organized into volunteer groups to conserve nature.”

He reiterated that volunteer groups have done a great job in fighting the recent forest fires, and said that the only way for protecting natural resources by FRWO is involvement of people in natural resources plans.

Aghaee said unity and solidarity are essential for FRWO's success and added that “Natural resources need empathy and cooperation of all stakeholders to flourish.”

In another part of his remarks, Aghaee said in order to prevent any aggression to public lands; they must be afforested because the transfer and conversion of forested areas is absolutely forbidden.

He said the implementation of rangeland plans is another mechanism in preventing the conversion of public lands and emphasized that rangeland plans acts as a secure margin for rangeland conservation.