Analyzing Social Actor's Conflict Network on Natural Resources Conservation and Use and its Impact on Rural Household's Livelihoods: A case study in the Dorahan and Cheshme Ali Watersheds

Natural resources are mostly considered as a common property of different relevant actors that may have different and competitive interests. In many cases, these stakeholders may have conflicts over natural resources due to their livelihood needs or other interests. Managing these conflicts is an important element of natural resources management. The purpose of this paper is to explore the actors and their interests and resources in the Dorahan and Cheshme Ali Watersheds, located in the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, as well as to illustrate the conflict pattern among them. A multiple case study methodology with multiple units of analysis was utilized. These two watersheds, comprising six villages, had various natural resources with different private and nationalized land properties. There was some reports showing property conflicts between rural people and the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Administration of this province. The data were collected using qualitative techniques such as observation, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, mapping and diagrams. The data were finally analyzed using the Conflict Pattern Assessment technique. The external actors and rural and nomadic communities had different interests in the watersheds, which caused conflicts among them. Moreover, these conflicts were at different levels. The highest level of conflict was identified between the communities and natural resources conservationists, while the conflict with other external actors was in a form of dissatisfaction of the services received. In addition, the conflict was reported inside the communities; between the households and rural organizations such as cooperatives and councils. The most important consequences of these conflicts have been weakening rural household's livelihoods, increasing rural – urban emigration and decreasing social capital. Despite the negative impacts, the conflict has had some short-term positive impacts on improving rangelands vegetation due to prohibiting rural livestock early grazing.