Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Masoumeh Pazoki ¹
• Seyed Jafar Seyed Akhlaghi ²
• Seyed Alireza Hosseini ³

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Economic, Social and Extension Research, Agricultural Research and Education Center and Natural Resources of Semnan Province, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Semnan, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Desert Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran

³ M.A of Geography and Rural Planning, Researcher, Agricultural Research and Education Center and Natural Resources of Semnan Province, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Semnan, Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective
Water is regarded as one of the fundamental pillars underpinning the sustainability of arid and desert ecosystems. In these ecologically sensitive environments, sustainable water resource management necessitates the adoption of context-specific policies and the active engagement of local communities. Nevertheless, indigenous knowledge rooted in cumulative lived experiences and adaptive nature-based mechanisms is frequently marginalized in formal development planning and policymaking processes. The present study aims to identify and elucidate the structure and dimensions of indigenous knowledge related to water resource management in Shahroud County, a region confronted with environmental challenges such as soil and water salinization, declining precipitation, and land subsidence.
Methodology
This research employed a qualitative design grounded in the Grounded Theory methodology as proposed by Strauss and Corbin. The study population consisted of local experts, experienced farmers, and professionals in the fields of natural resources and environmental management, selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through 25 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data were analyzed through the systematic processes of open, axial, and selective coding to construct a paradigmatic model of indigenous knowledge for sustainable water resource management.
Results
The results indicate that the core phenomenon of synergy and integration of indigenous and modern knowledge provides a fundamental basis for the sustainable management of water resources in Shahroud County. The commitment and self-awareness of local communities regarding the amount and allocation of water resources, along with their intergenerational knowledge in the field of water resources, have created a solid foundation for the protection of these resources. Despite challenges posed by youth migration and technological change, indigenous knowledge remains vital for local adaptation. Indigenous knowledge, which includes a deep understanding of rainfall and drought patterns, has remained a valuable and influential asset.
Local social structures, such as customary agreements on equitable water distribution and turn-taking systems, play a crucial role in the equitable distribution of resources. Government institutions and local organizations play a key role in strengthening knowledge and resource management by investing in the restoration of canals, developing infrastructure, and enhancing the capacity of policymakers. Integrating indigenous knowledge and modern knowledge through participatory strategies, continuous education, and intelligent exploitation, while increasing productivity and maintaining ecological balance, strengthens social cohesion and the sustainability of the rural population and paves the way for sustainable development. Success in managing Shahrood County's water resources requires a comprehensive approach that links contextual and intervening conditions alongside indigenous knowledge capacities and institutional support.
Conclusion
The findings underscore that the indigenous knowledge system in the desert regions of Shahroud County represents not merely a repository of experiential knowledge but an efficient and contextually grounded framework for local water governance. Core components such as environmental empiricism, continuity of traditional management practices, and value-oriented approaches to resource utilization constitute pivotal foundations for designing participatory policies and promoting sustainable development in the domain of water resource management.
 

Keywords

• Paradigmatic model
• sustainable development
• Grounded Theory
• indigenous Knowledge