Investigating the socio-economic effects of joint natural resources and watershed management projects (Case study of Arted village, Mahdishahr County, Semnan province)

The impact of these projects on local communities is directly correlated with their success rate and the success of the project is affected by the participation of local residents. This study was conducted to investigate the socio-economic impacts of natural resource and watershed management projects under the influence of local indigenous residents of Mahdishahr county (in Semnan province-Iran). The statistical n in the quantitative part of the study consists of villagers residing in Artad village. Statistical sample size was determined by Cochran formula and 74 questionnaires were analyzed by using a comparison of residents' attitude and Factor Analysis method. In the qualitative part, the village council members and rural governors were assisted in data analysis and subject mapping and content analysis. Based on the results, residents' attitudes toward each of the four items showed a significant difference. The first statement, which is related to the socio-cultural factors and strategies used for participation in natural resource and watershed management projects indicated that the natural resource departments are currently lacking a proper strategy to participation attraction of the villagers (Attitude : Low) ; the project is largely funded by the Department of Natural Resources and Watershed Management (Attitude: high) and the participation rate in mechanical and biological operations has been poorly evaluated (Attitude: Low). These cases have made these projects partially successful. The results of the factor analysis showed that the first factor affecting people's attitude toward the socio-economic impacts of natural resource and watershed projects is that the socio-economic impacts of these projects are affected by the extent of local residents' participation.  This component has a variance of 90.43% which indicates the high importance of participation.