Investigation of Violations Related to Natural Resources in Lordegan Township - Sardasht Customary Region

Abstract

The dependence of rural livelihoods to natural resources leads to a wide range of violations in this field. Studying the legal cases of natural resources is one of the important issues of the Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Organization of the country that their analysis can lead to the identification and reduction of the factors resulting in the destruction of natural resources in the country. In this study, using the descriptive-analytical method, quantitative content analysis approach, frequency and rate of violations recorded in 333 cases in a period of 15 years between 2006 up to 2020 in four villages of Sardasht customary area of ​​Lordegan township in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province has been studied. The results showed that the main violations are related to cutting, uprooting and burning of seedlings and trees and carrying firewood and charcoal, which accounts for 68% of violations. During the study period, 12558 trees and seedlings were cut down or destroyed by intentional fire and 34831 kg of wood and charcoal were illegally transported. Also, 103,300 kg of charcoal has been discovered in illegal coal kiln. Therefore, the most important factors in the degradation of forests in the region can be considered cutting down trees for firewood and charcoal. According to the results, there is a significant difference between the frequency of violations in the period and the villages. Developing rural infrastructure and planning for appropriate employment to reduce the poverty, continuous control and monitor of security officers, and tailor the violations to crime can reduce the severity of existing damage.

Keywords

• natural resource violations
• forest degradation
• charcoal
• lordegan township