Measuring the Sustainability of the Institutional Dimension of Watershed Projects on a Local Scale with the Approach of Social Network Analysis in the Katouye, Kal and Bahrestan Villages, South of Fars Province

Document Type : Research

Authors

1 Ph.D., Watershed Management Sciences and Engineering, General Office of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Fars Province

2 Associate Professor, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

3 Assistant Professor, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources

10.22092/wmrj.2023.361419.1525

Abstract

Introduction and Goal
Due to the current droughts and the sharp drop in ground water reserves in most of the country's plains, aquifer projects have received more and more attention as a suitable solution. The issue of assessing the sustainability of water catchment projects in various environmental, economic, social and particularly institutional dimensions is crucial. In this research, the evaluation of the sustainability of the institutional dimension in the south of Fars province (Iran) has been investigated on a local scale using the social network analysis method.
Materials and Methods
The evaluation of the sustainability of the institutional dimension in the three aquifer projects of the Katuyeh (Larestan), Kal (Lamard) and Baherstan (Mohr), which were implemented between 2017-2019, was examined through a five-step process. First, the two metrics of trust and cooperation were selected through the consensus of experts and using the classical Delphi method. Second, social relations networks including six topics were established in all three target villages. Third, the relevant questionnaire was designed. The number of completed questionnaires for the villages of Katuyeh, Kal and Behrestan is 25, 60 and 20 respectively (105 in total). In the fourth step, the information obtained from the questionnaires for each village was entered into the UCINET software. Then density and centrality measures (degree and betweenness) were calculated to evaluate two measures of trust and cooperation. Fifth, the two topics of "cooperation of administrations" and "willingness to cooperate with administrations" were determined for the two selection metrics and the stability of these two metrics of cooperation and trust in three villages, respectively.
Results and Discussion
The results of this research showed that in Katwieh village, the degree of stability for both measures of cooperation and trust was 3.3 (moderate stability). Therefore, the degree of stability in the institutional dimension was estimated to be 3.3 or average stability for Katwieh village. In Kal village, the degree of stability for the two measures of cooperation and trust was 2.7 and 2.3 respectively. Therefore, the degree of stability in the institutional dimension for Kal village was estimated as 2.5 or almost unstable to moderate stability. In Bahristan village, the degree of stability for the two measures of cooperation and trust was 3 and 1.7, respectively. Therefore, the degree of stability in the institutional dimension for Bahristan village was estimated as 2.4 or almost unstable.
Conclusion and Suggestions 
In the three villages of Katoyeh, Kal and Behrestan, the government body of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Department of the respective city and accordingly the General Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of the province on the one hand and the Islamic Council of the said villages as the representatives of the residents on the other hand, were able to establish two-way relations, trust and create mutual cooperation between the parties. Therefore, this issue strengthened the institutional dimension in the sustainability of watershed project development. In order to gain more trust and cooperation of the watershed residents and its continuity in the field of watershed activities, it is suggested that the maintenance of the watershed project plan be entrusted to the local trustees or the Islamic councils of the villages in order to provide a suitable platform for strengthening and continuing participation, cooperation and Provide mutual trust of watershed residents and government institutions in the field of water and soil conservation.

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Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 07 February 2023
  • Revise Date: 06 June 2023
  • Accept Date: 21 June 2023

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