Forest and Rangeland Management using Indigenous Ecological Knowledge, a Case Study of Barzok District, Iran

Rural sustainable development depends on two concepts: natural resources management and rural community or human-nature interactions. These social interactions not only indicate indigenous ecological knowledge but also demonstrate cooperative methods and participation in rural community. The role of traditional knowledge and cooperation is well-known to anyone involved so that more cooperative communities have more chance to achieve to sustainable development. In this study we have used direct observation method with qualitative and face to face interview with target groups include farmers, pastoralists, and shepherds of Barzok district of Iran. The results showed that, in this village like other Iranian villages, there are several customary mechanisms in natural resources management. The customary laws are reflected form rural ecological knowledge and have demonstrated their usefulness during thousands of years. As this knowledge has examined during several decades of rural life, it's the most sustainable method to utilize natural resources also as the cultures developed, rural communities have established social networks because of their common needs .Unfortunately this traditional culture had forgotten because of changes in natural resources ownership. This is remarkable that although this mechanisms no longer exists but it can be used as a cultural and social potential in natural resources sustainable planning and policy.