Explanation and development of administrative, financial and legal structures with a stakeholder-oriented approach for IWM

Author
Omid Asadi Nalivan
Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, Iran. o.asadi@maragheh.ac.ir
10.22034/wmji.2025.2060112.1114
Abstract
An examination of integrated watershed management (IWM) reveals that, despite its scientifically sound placement within the Natural Resources Organization, this sector lacks organizational power and coherence, rendering it politically marginalized. As a comprehensive approach to the optimal and sustainable utilization of natural resources, IWM requires institutional integration, stakeholder participation, and effective administrative, financial, and legal structures. This study, focusing on the administrative, financial, and legal frameworks of IWM in Iran, highlights key barriers such as weak inter-institutional coordination, the limited authority of responsible organizations, and the absence of binding legal frameworks. Through an analysis of existing institutions and proposed structures, the crucial role of strategic councils at national, provincial, and local levels is underscored, along with the necessity of capacity building across individual, organizational, and societal dimensions. Furthermore, the provision of independent and sustainable funding is identified as a fundamental requirement for effective implementation. The findings suggest that successful realization of IWM depends on a stakeholder-oriented, structured, and coordinated approach between executive bodies and local communities. Ultimately, the analysis indicates that achieving IWM objectives in Iran necessitates a fundamental revision and transformation in the country’s governance and institutional frameworks.
Keywords
Capacity Building
Governance
Institutional Cohesion
Integrated watershed management
Stakeholder Participation
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