Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
zanjan university
Abstract
Assessment of rangeland management projects enables policy makers and planners to understand their impacts from different environmental, social, human, and economic aspects. The aim of this research is to assess rural households’ perspective regarding the impact of rangeland management projects on their social capital. Using a survey methodology, respondents were asked to assess the indicators before and after the implementation of the projects. A randomized multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to select a sample of 204 out of 1280 rural pastoralists in Mahneshan County of Zanjan Province. Data was collected utilizing a structured interview technique and questionnaire. From pastoralists’ points of view, these projects have had considerable impacts on increasing relationships, collaboration, and social norms for collective actions. They have also been slightly effective in terms of reducing emigration, increasing job opportunities and participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, these projects had no effect in establishing or strengthening non-governmental organizations. Therefore, planning for rangeland management projects necessitates more attention to improving their effectiveness and their social institutionalization potential.
Keywords
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