Social Forestry: The Path Linking Natural Resource Conservation and Rural Livelihoods

Yasuj – The Director General of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad said that medicinal plant development, wood cultivation, and empowering local communities are key pillars of the social forestry plan to strengthen rural livelihoods.

Yasouj- Director General of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad called the development of medicinal plants, wood cultivation and empowerment of local communities as important axes of the social forestry project to strengthen the livelihood of villagers.

According to reporter Mehr Jamal Mousavian, referring to the holding of the first specialized meeting of the pilot social forestry plan of the province in the Vice President of Rural Development and Underprivileged Areas of the Presidency, he said: Utilizing the natural capacities of the province along with the participation of the local people, can lay the foundation for fundamental protection of natural resources and creating sustainable income generation opportunities in rural and nomadic areas.

He added: social forestry with a partnership-oriented approach seeks to create a link between the protection of natural areas and the improvement of the economic status of local communities; An approach that is particularly important considering the forest, pasture and biodiversity capacities of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad.

The Director General of Natural Resources and Watershed Management of Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmad listed the development of cultivation and exploitation of medicinal plants, the completion of the value chain of these products and the expansion of wood cultivation as important axes examined in this meeting and said: the use of the economic capacities of natural resources should be planned in such a way that, while generating income for local users, the principles of conservation and sustainable exploitation are also observed.

Pointing to the importance of empowering rural and nomadic communities, Mousavian continued: People's active participation in the implementation of programs related to natural resources provides the basis for increasing social responsibility, strengthening households' livelihoods, and developing eco-friendly economic activities.

He also mentioned the development of wood farming within the framework of legal regulations, including contracts under Article 3 of the Law on the Protection and Exploitation of Forests and Ranges, as one of the issues raised in the expert meeting.

Referring to the presence of officials and representatives of national and provincial executive bodies in this meeting, Director General of Natural Resources and Watershed Management, Kohgiluyeh and Boyar Ahmad, stated: The plan's capabilities and implementation solutions are being reviewed with the aim of achieving an operational plan that fits the conditions of the province.

In the first specialized meeting of social forestry project pilot Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, representatives of national executive bodies, the governor of the province, the economic deputy of the governor, the head of the management and planning organization of the province, the director general of natural resources and watershed management and the deputies of this general department were present.

At the end of this meeting, it was decided that the next expert review meeting of the plan will be held next week so that the expert discussions will continue and the issues raised to advance the implementation plans will be followed up.