Rural Rangeland User's View Regarding the Impact of Rangeland Management Projects on Their Rangeland Conservation Knowledge in the Mahneshan Township, Zanjan Province

Sustainable natural resources management projects, including rangeland management, can have various impacts on the capacity building of natural resources beneficiarie's households. Whereas it is essential to know the importance of rangeland conservation, use and rehabilitation, it is necessary to understand the impact of rangeland management projects on the rural rangeland user's knowledge and attitudes. The aim of this research was to investigate the rangeland user's views regarding the impact of rangeland management projects on their knowledge about rangeland conservation activities through utilizing a cross-sectional survey. Data were collected through document analysis, focus groups, and semi-structured and structured interviews with 204 rural livestock holders in the Mahneshan Township, located in the Zanjan Province of Iran. Rangeland projects had been implemented or were in the process of implementation. According to the rangeland users’ view, these projects have led to increasing their knowledge regarding the importance and conservation methods of rangelands, such as biological techniques and grazing management. Their view towards the impact of the projects on their knowledge is explained directly and indirectly by their participation in rangeland conservation projects, information obtain from interpersonal and mass media, implementing rangeland rehabilitation activities and livelihood diversifying activities by livestock holders, farming land size, membership in community based organizations and age. It is expected to provide facilities and an appropriate environment for learning, knowledge improvement and action of rural rangeland users regarding sustainable rangeland management if the implementation of rangelands projects is integrated with extension services for information intervention through interpersonal and mass media as well as the active participation of rural communities in these projects.