Ebrahim Sadeghi, Mohammad Hassanzadeh Nafooti, Aliakbar Jamali, Asghar Salehi,
Volume 11, Issue 39 (5-2022)
Introduction
Many experts and practitioners stated that sustainable development is more probable through social capital or participation and social trust. By involving local people in the watershed management process, users' technical and analytical skills are improved. In evaluating watershed management projects, so far, mainly technical goals to reduce nature reactions have been considered by designers and planners; however, the human factor in the design, evaluation and achievement of socio-economic goals of the project has received less attention. Therefore, it will be necessary to pay more attention in this regard. In Qaleh Shahrerokh Basin, various watershed management projects have been implemented that have different effects on environmental factors, and consequently, socio-economic conditions in the region. According to the researchers, the study of the factors affecting the participation and also the internal effect of each factor on each other is one of the tasks that should be done before, during and after the implementation of such projects. The present study aims to identify barriers affecting the participation of the villagers using multiple correlation and path analysis to help local managers to be more successful in planning and implementing future watershed management projects with maximum participation.
Methodology
The present study is a non-experimental and descriptive-analytical study. The statistical population of this study consists of all heads of households in Qaleh Shahrokh village of Chadegan city. According to the statistical population, the sample size was obtained using the Cochran's formula with a 5% error rate, which was considered 250 for greater accuracy. The data collection tool in this study was a questionnaire whose validity was confirmed by professors and experts of Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center. To determine the reliability of the questionnaire, a pre-test was performed, in which the calculated Cronbach's alpha value was obtained for the main scales of the questionnaire. SPSS and AMOS software were used to analyze the collected data by multiple correlation and path analysis.
Discussion and conclusion
The research findings showed that the level of participation of respondents in watershed management projects is low. The continuation of this situation can make difficulties for the implementation and maintenance of future watershed management projects in the region, and cost a lot of money imposed on the government to maintain and develop plans. Regarding the level of familiarity of villagers with watershed management plans, the results showed that in general the level of familiarity and knowledge of respondents about different dimensions of watershed management plans was low and this factor is one of the important reasons for the low level of rural participation in watershed management projects. This problem indicates the lack of extension and educational activities of watershed management project implementers before the implementation of the projects. These results show that unless the villagers have a good level of awareness about plans and projects and have a negative mindset about job creation and the positive impact of watershed management projects, they will be indifferent such plans. The results of multiple correlation and path analysis showed that cultural factors play a key role in the non-participation of villagers in watershed management projects and other factors do not directly affect participation. This result indicates that the knowledge and awareness of the residents of the region about the goals and results of watershed management projects should be increased in order to lead to gaining trust and maximum participation in the implementation, maintenance and maintenance of such projects.
