Alireza Daneshi; mehdi vafakhah; Mostafa Panahi
Abstract
Due to problems of Urmia Lake, several strategies have been proposed by professionals to restore it. But it should be noted that the implementation of each plan and project within the watershed requires the participation ofstakeholders and farmers within that watershed. Due to the lack of attention to ...
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Due to problems of Urmia Lake, several strategies have been proposed by professionals to restore it. But it should be noted that the implementation of each plan and project within the watershed requires the participation ofstakeholders and farmers within that watershed. Due to the lack of attention to stakeholders, management of many natural resources and development projects has failed. Therefore, public acceptance and participation of stakeholders including those users who are engaged with farming and gardening was explored in some proposed approaches for restoring Urmia Lake. The study area was Siminehroud watershed as one of the largest Urmia Lake sub watersheds. Research instrument was a questionnaire which was filled by data obtained from interview with stakeholders and achieved results were analyzed using SPSS 17 software. The results showed that shift in irrigation system from traditional type to pressure irrigation system with 91.45% approval rating can be considered as the most successful strategy among poposed strategies. Compensation payment initiative specific to farmers for non-utilization of owned farming lands had the appropriate acceptance with 53.55%. Also 50.25% of stakeholders showed their inclination to the use of species of low water demands instead of those with high water demand providing that government support such scheme. Generally, it was revealed that increasing water charge anticipating subsequent reduction of water consumption will not be effective. Consequently, it can be stated firmly that irrigation system change must be put in executive priority and next priorities will be compensation payment to farmers and change in farming pattern.
