Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Assistant Prof., Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, I.R. Iran.
2 Assistant Prof., Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Basic Sciences and Engineering, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, I.R. Iran.
3 Assistant Prof., Department of Management, Faculty of Azadshahr Humanities, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, I.R. Iran
Abstract
Background and objectives
Good governance of natural resources arises from the interplay of social and institutional-environmental responses by all stakeholders. This approach, by providing a platform for collaborative processes, serves as a suitable mechanism for strengthening civil society alongside the government and the private sector in the administration of natural resources. Today, natural resources play a crucial role in human life and are a significant factor contributing to the economic growth of societies. However, the increasing complexity of natural resource issues and problems renders traditional management inadequate in addressing existing challenges. As a result, various approaches to natural resource management have been proposed in recent years, with good governance emerging as one of the most crucial among them. Golestan province, located in the northern part of Iran, covers an area of 20,367 square kilometers, accounting for 1.3% of the country's total area. Unfortunately, the natural resources of Golestan province have been under threat in recent decades due to deforestation, excessive livestock grazing, and other human activities. As a result, the province faces significant challenges in this regard. The considerable depletion of natural resources, coupled with environmental crises such as floods and droughts, highlights the need for a detailed investigation and research into the management state of natural resources in the province. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the alignment of natural resource management with good governing indexes in Golestan province.
Methodology
In the first step, seven indexes were selected: participation, responsiveness, responsibility, rule of law and justice, transparency, efficiency, effectiveness, and consensus. For this research, the natural resource offices located in the east of Golestan province, including the cities of Gonbad Kavous, Kalaleh, Minodasht, Galikesh, Maraveh-Tepe, and Ramyan, were considered as the level of analysis. The stakeholders and experts of the natural resources offices of the analysis unit were included as participants in the study. Cochran's formula was employed to determine the required sample size. Based on this calculation, the estimated sample size was determined to be 189 samples. After receiving and reviewing the questionnaires, a total of 177 valid questionnaires were accepted for statistical analysis. The experts sample size included 70 questionnaires. In summary, this study aims to assess the extent to which natural resource management in Golestan province aligns with good governing indexes. By examining the selected indexes and surveying stakeholders and experts, this research seeks to provide a comprehensive picture of the effectiveness and efficiency of current natural resource management practices in the region.
Results
The users were randomly selected based on availability, while the experts were chosen through a full count method. The research data was analyzed using t-tests and analysis of variance. The findings indicate that the consensus and responsibility indices received the highest scores with 3.373 and 3.361 respectively, whereas the law and justice and transparency indexes received average scores of 2.2551 and 2.257 respectively, indicating lower levels of satisfaction. According to the user perspective, natural resource governance had an average rating of 2.8884, which is below the theoretical average, suggesting poor governance in the studied area. Based on the indicators, the rule of law and justice, transparency, and accountability received the lowest average scores from the users. On the other hand, according to the experts, efficiency and effectiveness were identified as the most critical factors of good governance, while stakeholders highlighted participation as the key factor for good governance.
Conclusion
Based on the results, the overall average of the good governance index is lower than the theoretical average, indicating relatively weak governance of natural resources from the stockholders' perspective in the studied area. The research highlights the importance of involving users in natural resource projects, utilizing local knowledge effectively, and strengthening cooperatives to enhance the governance of natural resources in the region.
Keywords
)