Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the execution of Forest Principles in the northern forests of Iran

Subject Areas : environmental management

Naser  Moharamnejad ¹ (1- Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University)
Amir  Mafi ² (Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University)

Received: 2007-01-21 Accepted : 2007-02-28 Published : 2009-12-22

Keywords: Environmental Management, Forest Principles, northern forests of Iran,

Abstract :

During the earth summit in 1992, countries developed a series of principles for sustainable exploitation of forests. These principles are the first global consensus on sustainable forest use; however, they are not legally binding. The present study aims to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the execution of Rio Forest Principles in Caspian forests, northern forests ofIran, from 1992 to 2002. This goal was pursued through studying forest developments as well as analyzing the schemes performed by theIranianForest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization against Forest Principles. As the authority of Caspian forests, this organization performs many schemes and projects to conserve, preserve and recover forests. The results of the study show that this organization has achieved set standards in this regard. Statistics show that there has been a growth in the number of rangers and in the equipment for the protection of Caspian forests; however, the figures regarding the occurrences of fires, log smuggling and overgrazing prove that such growth has not been sufficient. Persistence of livestock in the forests, persistence of scattered pastoral households, depletion of forest area, lack of non-log production, lack of participation on the part of the young generation and women, log smuggling and unwise log exploitation, lack of NGOs awareness of Forest Principles, and lack of attention to the customs, culture and knowledge of the local community are among the weaknesses and threats of executing Forest Principles in the country’s northern forests. Meanwhile, efficient performance of schemes pertaining to recovering and protecting forests and forest utilization under the supervision of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Management Organization of Iran, persistence of plenty of environmental NGOs in Gilan, Mazandaran and Golestan  provinces, existence of a national equivalent for Forest Principles, cooperation of forest residents who deal with forest utilization, and courses for forest users and watershed residents are some of the strengths and opportunities of executing Forest Principles in the northern forests of Iran. Considering the above-mentioned issues, the following managerial approaches are proposed: to improve public efficiency (public participation); to increase international participation in forest management (technical and financial cooperation); to improve local educational plans in order to emphasize environmental considerations; to improve environmental and natural resources institutes; and to establish environmental database.