Factors Affecting the Non-acceptance of Multiple-use Projects from the Viewpoints of Rangeland Utilizers

Livestock and pasture imbalances are among the rangeland managers’ concerns. In this regard, decision makers were determined to reduce pressure on rangelands through alternative livelihoods, and multiple-use projects. Unfortunately, the multiple-use projects have not been implemented successfully in Golestan and Azadshahr provinces after five years of multifunctional project review service announcement. The purpose of this study is to investigate the reason of non-acceptance of multiple-use projects in Azadshahr and Gonbad rangelands. Using several ecological, economic and social indicators, the extent to which the multiple-use projects in rangelands were accepted by utilizers was searched. Required data were collected by using questionnaires and interviews, and the reasons for non-accepting the projects being implemented by utilizers were compared by pair-wise comparisons across the Likert scale. Hierarchical analysis was done by Expert Choice11. The results showed that economic, political-institutional and environmental criteria are the main criteria in non- acceptance of multiple-use projects which insufficient economic stability, and lack of job security in such projects, implementation at the wrong time and place, lack of favorable governmental support, are some cases of these indicators. Major responses cited these problems in top-down management and a lack of attention to utilizers’ participation in decision-making and planning. Based on this, it is suggested that participation be enhanced in various levels of decision-making, planning and implementation, and for this purpose, training courses be used more, as well as the establishment of non-governmental organizations so that the participation of utilizers to be increased more and more in such projects in the future.