Evaluation of the views of watershed residents and their participation in the implementation of watershed management operations (Gelevard sub-basin, Neka city, Mazandaran province)

Watershed management is one of the most efficient methods of sustainable land management. In the current research, was evaluated the economic and social effectiveness of implementing watershed projects in the Gelevard sub-basin, Nekarud watershed, Neka city. The statistical population of this research included 2775 households and the sample size was 280 household heads. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. The results showed that the effectiveness of watershed management measures in preventing the reduction of flood damage and the level of satisfaction with the mechanical and biomechanical operations implemented in the study area have the highest priorities in terms of average rank. Correlation coefficients (R2= 0.60, P-value= 0.01) examination showed a high correlation between the implementation of watershed management operations and creating incentives for the residents of the village to stay in the village and reducing migration from the village. The results of the Kruskal-Wallis test showed no significant difference (Chi-square-1.32, P-value=0.72) between the effect of watershed management activities on improving people's living conditions in relation to the way of participation and the type of participation of the respondents in executive measures. Summarizing the results of this research showed that watershed management activities in this watershed improved people’s living conditions, increased the motivation of village residents to stay in the village, and reduced migration.