Conservation and Sustainable Development Program of Central

In The Name of God Photo by: Hassan Moghimi Choghakhor Wetland, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province Conservation and Sustainable Development Program of Central Zagros Mountains (C+SD P of CZM) Inspired by Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Project with the participation of all Relevant Stakeholders at National Level and in Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Fars and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Provinces

Contents

1. Introduction...... 7 2. Zagros Mountains...... 8 3. Central Zagros Mountains...... 9 4. Values of the Central Zagros Mountains...... 9 Map1: The Central Zagros Range...... 11 5. Values of the Central Zagros Mountains...... 10 6. Biodiversity Threats: ...... 13 7. Strategies and Action Plan...... 15 7.1. CZM Vision...... 15 7.2. Main Goal...... 15 7.3. Strategic Goals...... 15 8. Management System of Zagros Mountains...... 31 8.1. National Management Committee of Zagros Mountains...... 31 8.2. Provincial Management Committee of Zagros Mountains...... 32 8.3. Catchment Management Areas Management Committee...... 32 8.4. Executive Management Secretariat of the Central Zagros Mountains...... 33 8.5. Zagros Mountains Biodiversity Resource Centers...... 33 Diagram 1. CZM Management System...... 34 9. Catchment Management Areas...... 37 Map 2. CMAs in CZM range...... 39 10. Providing and Allocating Budget...... 39 Chart 2-The mechanism of annual work plan and budget allocation in CMAs...... 40 11. CZM Planning and Management Tools...... 41 Chart 3. The process of providing annual work plan and using planning and management tools in CZM...... 42 11.1. Zoning of the Land-Use According to the Ecological Capability Evaluation...... 43 Map (3) - The basic map for land use in CZM...... 43 11-2. Sustainable Use Guidelines...... 44 11-3. Central Zagros Mountain Management Information System...... 44 Chart 4. Workflow of the CZM Management Information System ...... 45 11.4. CZM Monitoring Plan ...... 45 Abbreviations ...... 58

CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

1. Introduction Zagros, the greatest and longest range of mountains of Iran, with an area of more than 32 million hectares, includes 13 provinces starting from West-Azarbaijan then pass- ing Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Hamedan, Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluye and Boyer-Ahmad, Fars, Ilam, Khuzestan, Bushehr and Hormozgan provinces; it continues to the North of Hormoz Canyon and there, it joins Iran’s central range of mountains and Makran highlands. The topography and climate have caused a great diversity in ecosystems and habitats all over this region. Zagros is the habitat of more than 2000 plants’ species and some endangered and endemic species, and its biodiversity is global significance. This mountain is undoubtedly one of the main reasons of the emergence of the first civilizations in this area. Zagros is considered as the source of some important rivers such as Karun, Zayanderud, Karkheh, Zarinehrud, Siminerud, Dalaki, etc. Considering the amount of rainfalls and low evaporation level and appropriate location of geological formations, it provides considerable amount (45%) of the ground and underground water of Iran country. In recent decades, Zagros biodiversity in protected areas and its surroundings have faced serious dangers due to the changes in population, socio-economic systems, lack of proper management methods and the decrease in the traditional land use, impacted by unsustainable and unbalanced development. If the current practices of using natural resources and the environment do not change, many of the species will extinct soon. For years the relevant organizations in the region have conducted the sustainable development studies based on which tried to implement the activities; however, the outcomes did not have desired results in the environment. These activities were done separately and did not involve the local communities; therefore, they did not have any impact on the conservation of biodiversity and ecological capability of the region. Therefore, a need was felt to design and develop the Conservation and Sustainable Development Program of Central Zagros Mountains aimed at mingling conservation of biodiversity and development through the participation of all the relevant stakeholders. Its main goal is to manage sustainable development of the region via mainstreaming the conservation of biodiversity in the management and sustainable use of the water resources, agriculture, forestry, rangelands, tourism, surface and underground water, and also integrated biodiversity conservation in the development of the infrastructure and the socio-economic development plan. The management pattern of this program has been developed to help gain sustainable development at macro level, strengthen the natural resources’ beneficiaries’ livelihoods and also to form a stimuli for the development of economy and having it scaled up through the CZM and at the same time, it is to develop a practical and appropriate structure and system for the organizations at national and provincial levels in order to reach the biodiversity conservation and the local communities’ livelihoods’ promotion. The main approach of the Central Zagros Mountain Conservation and Sustainable De- velopment program is mainstreaming the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use through the activities done by the beneficiaries, economic and producing sectors in the Central Zagros Landscape in an area which is around 3.100.000 ha. This strategy has 7 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program faced up with many challenges, so far; therefore, finding effective approaches towards this issue is regarded as one of the main goals of the present program. Developing CZM C+SD P was done by the great participation of the stakeholders and forming working groups of experts at national and provincial levels, and the relevant managers and experts; this created the opportunity for them to consult with the head of the organization and after receiving the viewpoints of the relevant organization adjust the program like- wise. These decisions were all made in a group and the Department of Environment has played the role of a facilitator only. 2. Legal Support All individuals shall be required to protect the environment according to the GIRI’s Constitutional Law. This law has banned all economic and non-economic activities which cause irreversible damages to the environment. GIRI has paid an increasing attention to the environmental issues and conservation of biodiversity and has tried to make these objectives operational. In the 4th cultural, socio-economic development plan (2006-2011) a full chapter has been allocated to the conservation of the environment. In the first article of this chapter, the importance of the biodiversity conservation and the government’s commitment for implementing the national strategy plan of biodiversity conservation has been emphasized. The fiftieth article of constitutional law: This article links today and future generations to the environment and makes it a public duty to protect the environment. This article explicitly forbids economic activity that degrades or causes irreversible harm to the environment. The most important documents used in this program: 1. The law of conservation and Improvement of the environment; 2. The law for increasing the agriculture productivity and natural resources and the plant protection; 3. The law of conservation and use of forests and rangelands, and the law of making forests national property; 4. The 5-year laws on socioeconomic development of the country; 5. Law of fair distribution of water 6. Law of conservation and use of aquatic resources of GIRI 7. The law of development of the tourism industry of Iran and the world 8. Legislation to establish the Supreme Council for Planning and Architecture of Iran; 9. A Memorandum of Understanding for sustainable management of natural resources with emphasis on conservation of 11 Zagros provinces forests. GIRI joint the Convention of Biodiversity of UN in May, 1996, and its 6th state- ment (with more than 188 countries including Iran)“Integrate and mainstreaming as far as possible and as appropriate, the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into relevant sectoral or Inter-sectoral plans, programs and policies.” In the national strategic document of biodiversity, Central Zagros Mountain (CZM) is regarded as one of the most important ecosystems of the country to be protected and managed. In biodiversity conservation action plan of national strategy, Twenty-five basic actions have been considered.

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3. Zagros Mountains Zagros Mountains from North ends up to Orumieh Lake i.e. Azarbaijan Mountains, from South to strait of Hormoz, from East-South to Makran Mountains, from West to Chooman and Kalas rivers which separate Zagros Mountains from North-West Moun- tains, from West-South to Khuzestan plain and in Iran plateau’s centre, it is bounded to Lut and Kavir plains. Zagros Mountains are divided into 3 parts based on height and location: 1. Northern Zagros: The range of this part of Zagros, North to South, is from Go- var river valley to Naghade river valley. 2. Central Zagros: The range of this part of Zagros, North-West to South-East, is from Khoramabad river valley and it continues to the East Mountains of Marvast desert and North of Bakhtegan Lake and Dalaki River. 3. South Zagros: from Dalaki or Shahpoor river, West to East, it continues to Ka- lode Sheikh and Kahdan in Hormozgan 4. Central Zagros Mountains Central Zagros Mountain (CZM) is mainly mountainous and is located at 830 to 4416 Meters above the Sea Level. The average altitude of this region is 2332 meter. 34% of the region has 2100-2400 meters height and less than one percent of it has less than 1000 meter. This area is the main source of water of the country and includes many Iran’s most important rivers. This area is the place where 10 percent of the population of the country live and earn livings. Since more than 50 percent of the nomads’ population of the country is dependent on Zagros, this area is regarded as one of the main centers where nomads live. Central Zagros range includes almost all of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiary and vast area of Kohgiluye and Boyer-Ahmad, a huge part of Marvdasht, Eghlid, Abadeh, Sepidan and Mamassani in Fars and Semirom in Isfahan (map 1). It has an area of 3.100.00 ha, most of which is forests, rangelands and almost 87 percent of this area is under direct supervision of governmental organizations including forests, rangelands, mines, rivers and mountains. From water ecosystems perspective, at least 10 wetlands and seasonal lakes can be found in the region. One of the main characteristics of Zagros Fauna is Quercus brantii. The various kinds of topography and climate have caused a special ecological zoning in the area and has resulted in a high range of biodiversity in the rather small areas. The annual amount of rainfall is 500 millimeters (so much more than the average rate of rainfall in Iran). There are more than 10 wetlands and seasonal lakes in the region. Choghakhor is one of the main important wetlands in the world and Gandoman, is the candidate to be placed in the Ramsar convention list. Zagros is the source of 92 rivers and the biggest and longest catchments of the country such as Karun, Jarahi, Kuhrang, Kheir rood, Kor, Ardakan, Semirom, Zayanderood, Dalaki, etc, which is a part of West, South-West and central areas of Iran related to sustainability of these vital catchments. Table (1) shows the range of Central Zagros Mountains.

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Table 1: Summary of the CZM’s characteristics Characteristics Description It is located in 49 degrees 54 minutes and 52 degrees 23 Location minutes East longitude and 30 degrees 37 minutes North latitude and 32 degrees 9 minutes from the Equator Area 3,100,000 ha Rainfall- Mediterranean, from December until the end of Climate April dry season coincides with the summer

The Area of Basins It has two main basins Karun and Maharlu Bakhtegan, 8 main catchments, 33 sub-catchments The Area of Wetlands 1.8% of the whole CZM The Area of Rangelands 56% of the CZM The Area of Forests 20.2% of the CZM Altitude 800- 4450 M

Management Status Under the national land cover– exceptions - uncultivated- endowments lands Conservation status (including the extent and degree of impor- 2 national parks (Dena and Tang Sayyad), 1 national natu- tance) ral phenomenon (Fritillaries), 11 protected areas Choghakhor wetland is registered on Ramsar Convention Registration Status in Interna- of International Wetlands’ list. tional Organizations Dena, Tang Sayyad and Sabzkuh have been registered on MaB of UNESCO’s list. The main ecological values (including the number and diversity 2000 Fauna of habitats and species diversity more than 30 animal’s endangered species index) Water, genetic resources, medical plants, timber produc- Products and Services tion, soil-production and soil erosion prevention, nutrient cycles, raw materials, protein and dairy products, agricultural and aquacultural products, habitat diversity. Source: The Study on Ecological Evaluation of CZM, 2015

5. Values of the Central Zagros Mountains Among the various ecosystems on the Earth, mountainous ecosystems lead to the formation of a continuous flow of products and services by hosting a series of complex ecological processes which have direct and indirect effects on the economy and livelihoods of humans. Table 2 represents the core values of the Zagros Mountains.

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Map1: The Central Zagros Range

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Table 2: Core Values of the CZM Function Services Produced Goods and Services Mountainous ecosystem stays as a barrier against the flow of the air leading to climate change, rainfall in the high altitudes, Mitigation of Climate or it can help large wetland areas in the regulation of the microclimate (temperature and humidity) resulting in a more appropriate one than the surrounding areas. Gas Regulation Oxygen production, Carbon sequestration and storage. Toxins Adjustment Wetlands and streams cause reducing toxins and pollutants (keeping sediment and with self-purification and maintain the sediment caused by pollutants) erosion. Valleys act as corridors through which air, water, soil and food Regulatory Valleys pass, and animal migrate, and the local communication between upstream and downstream occurs. Maintenance of the Soil Prevent soil erosion, maintain soil fertility The ecosystems of the forest, rangelands, mountains and Flood, Storm and Dust wetlands are involved in the conservation of the soil Control (prevention of soil erosion, maintain soil fertility) The difference in the altitudes has caused variation climate in Biodiversity the area and has created significant ecological situation leading to a rich unique biodiversity in the areas. Conservation of the variety of the habitats and species of Flora and Fauna Information bank of genetics for biological diversity Reserves and Habitats conservation through environmental adaptation Creating a safe habitat for the variety of endangered species in format of protected areas

Habitat- related Habitat- Inclusion a variety of ecosystems to support the food chains and Supporting Food Chains networks The diversity of the Zagros Mountains’ ecosystems has created Landscape a unique landscape Mountains of the areas are the resources for saving and Fresh Water producing the surface and underground water which are used for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes Different types of crops, garden products and livestock’s are Food involved in the food production. Appropriate Soil These are used in high-yield agriculture.

Productive Forest ecosystems are involved in the production of wood for Firewood and Wood fuel and coal preparation. It is regarded as a kind of livelihood Fiber for the local communities in the region.

Non-wood Products Producing resin and forest tree fruits for medicinal, eating and for living purposes.

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Function Services Produced Goods and Services Pastures of the area are rural and tribal grazing areas. Spreading Forage and livestock husbandries and keeping livestock, dairy and protein feed production are derived indirectly from the CZM’s management areas. Medicinal Herbs Indigenous and endemic plants in the region are used for pharmaceutical, food, cooking and living (sold as seed or dried) Mountains are considered as the main resources for producing electricity and other forms of energies. Electricity Energy produced from the reservoir dam on Karun River is involved in energy production

One of the sources of human livelihood is through fishing and Aquaculture and aquaculture in the rivers. It is possible to keep fish in the base- Fishery ments, too.

Agricultural Develop- ment Supplying soil and water for agricultural development. Supplier of raw materials for industrial and mining develop- Industrial and Mining ment. In addition, it is required water supply development. Development Minerals such as fireclay, marble, plaster, stone sand, etc. are used for industrial purposes and being exported to the neigh�-

Informative boring provinces in the region. Socio-economic Devel- It is residence and livelihood provider for about 10 % of the opment population of the country. The diversity of topography and ecological landscape of Zagros Tourism Mountains has created a sustainable tourism potential in the Eco-tourism, Leisure region and it includes various natural canvases and human en- and Recreation vironment, including the nomads, river, forest, rangelands and wetlands. Historical and Religious It is the cradle of ancient civilization of Ancient Iran. CZM are subjected to various aspects of academic research, Science and Education articles, fieldwork and training and all functions of natural ecosystems in relation to the man in the area are can be taught. Ecosystem and ecological landscape diversity of CZM have in- fluence on human mental and spiritual health. In addition, us- Health ing the mountainous productions provides what human-being needs for life.

6. Biodiversity Threats There are two main threats to the area’s biodiversity: change of land use of the areas in which have rich biodiversity and unsustainable use of biodiversity resources. These factors, alone and in combination, may lead to severe and irreversible damage (as shown in Table 3).

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Table 3: The list of major threats of biodiversity in CZM Threats Description Understory farming, agricultural activities, over use of the vegetation, water and soil resources, continuous overgrazing, inappropriate agricultural practices Unsustainable and use of the inputs, activities, mining, land use change of the forests and Use of Forests rangelands, inappropriate tourism development, industrial, urban and and Rangelands infrastructure development; that are the cause of dusts, and the rangeland plants’ diseases, such as the decline of Quercus brantii, oak, mastic, ash, elm, mountain almond species in forests and rangelands. It is as a result of unsustainable farming (plowing and tilling the land steep slope), imbalance of livestock and pasture, overgrazing, construction and Erosion natural factors and results in the washing of the dust and its accumulation behind the dams. Unsustainable Weak laws relevant to water supplies, poor water resources management Use of the and supervision, lack of awareness of stakeholders (public and private), the Surface and Un- principles of integrated water resources management in the area, and the derground Water lack of proper crop pattern due to water resources is one of the factors Resources leading to over use of the surface and underground water. Overhunting and overfishing are caused by: the lack of accurate census of wildlife in the management areas, the inappropriate use of traditional conservation methods and new approaches , the lack of tools for the conservation and management of the protected areas, the lack of awareness Overhunting and of local communities, including rural and nomads with the advantages of Overfishing the sustainable harvesting principles of the biodiversity resources, , the lack of new technologies to inform about the threats and damages caused by certain species of wildlife, the lack of educational and promotional programs to get the local community familiarize and tourists to properly deal with the threat of some wildlife species. The unsustainable development of the fish farms, the outbreak of aquatic species and its possibility to be transmitted to human beings and water ecosystems, the entrance of the introduced species, weak governance Unsustainable rules on regional water quality of surface waters, lack of supervision of the Aquaculture licensed exporter of fish breeding, unawareness of the breeders regarding the harmful effects of chemical drugs for aquaculture environmental factors of instability have been effective in the region. The main causes of this threat include lack of farmers’ awareness about the dangers of excessive use of pesticides and fertilizer and its negative Unsustainable consequences on biodiversity, about the use of biological methods to Agriculture control pests and diseases and ecological balance, lack of efficient using pesticides, fertilizers, and about the benefits of the organic products. Accumulation of Effluent and Lack of proper management of river sides’ conservation, lack of integrated Household management system of wastewater and effluent, lack of planning to have Wastewater in the recycling done at home and composting, lack of locating the proper the River Side place for having the garbage buried. Establishment and Operation of Large-scale Officials’ unawareness of the biodiversity values, low quality of the Development environmental studies related to projects, lack of strategic environmental Projects with- impact assessment, inefficiencies of the environmental impact assessment out environ- studies are regarded as the major factors in the development that are not mental consid- environment-friendly. erations

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7. Strategies and Action Plan 7.1. CZM Vision Due to the potentials of the Central Zagros Mountains in terms of the value of the unique natural resources, a 30-year vision of the Central Zagros Mountains as follows:

30-Year Vision of CZM: The Zagros Mountains is a unique area that enjoys sustainable, balanced development in a way that the stakeholders cooperate in its management while considering the carrying capacity of the nature and the life and water cycle; They also benefit from mountain endowment fairly, dynamically and sustainably where both the structure and function of the Zagros Mountain’s ecosystem will be preserve for the future generations.

7.2. Main Goal The main goal of C+SD P regarding the main approach of the program that is mainstreaming the conservation of biodiversity in the process of national and regional planning and policy making, and also reducing the impacts of unsustainable development and use on destruction of the CZM natural resources to the minimum possible, is developed as:

Main Goal: Sustainable development and conservation of natural and biodiversity resources in CZM

7.3. Strategic Goals The following strategic objectives are defined to accomplish the vision and objectives of the C+SDP of CZM which their implementations would ensure reaching the expected goals. The following outlines the strategic objectives and suitable action plan will be offered. To have these strategies implemented, the participation and cooperation of all the relevant organizations are highly required. Strategic Goal 1: Conservation of the environment and biodiversity values Gradual extinction of animal and plant species on one hand and unsustainable harvesting of the natural resources in the CZM on the other occur because of not giving priority to the biodiversity in the current activities and development programs. Meanwhile, the conservation of the current ecosystems and biodiversity (of species, habitats, genetics), with public awareness rising and their participation in conservation programs of the environment and biodiversity values by developing the management plans of the wildlife can be regarded as the key conservation strategies of the biodiversity values in the CZM. Currently, there are no mechanisms for raising the public awareness in the region and the lack of awareness about the biodiversity values alongside the existing livelihood have had impacts on their participation in biodiversity conservation and other programs. Thus, raising public awareness is regarded as a prerequisite to have the participation of local communities in the conservation and improvement of environmental conditions. Strategic Goal 2: Restoration and rehabilitation of ecosystems in degraded areas Values and services of the ‍CZM are undeniable , while in recent years, the unsustainable uses

15 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program and lack of attention to these values as one of the key components of the biodiversity this ecosystem are affected in the country; a large part of which is destroyed due to the overharvesting and mismanagement. In a way that, the diversity of plant and animal species in a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the region are faced with a sharp decline and critical ecosystems, including the structure of soil, surface and underground water resources and … and also because of the current unsustainable uses also have undergone radical changes. Therefore, the restoration of the ecosystem in the biotic and a biotic components, may lead to a revival of the CZM ecosystem types. Strategic Goal 3: Managing and controlling the impacts of the unsustainable activities and uses This Goal focuses on controlling the impacts resulted from the current activities and unsustainable uses of agriculture, tourism, aquaculture, etc. To achieve this strategic goal, existing uses in the area should go in line with biodiversity values which are in conflict and/or threat to ecosystems in the area and any types of habitats are not considered. So, in terms of ecological characteristics, species diversity, wildlife distribution and such indicators, various utilization processes and activities should be considered. Modification of existing operating systems and considerations of the limitations and characteristics of natural resources in the CZM is the target of this strategic goal. Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable development in the process of resource use The trends of development and utilizations in CZM should be done in a way that in addition to fulfilling the ecological needs of the society as much as possible based on the ecological power of the region, the ability to rehabilitate resources and sustained harvesting in a long-term run .To achieve sustainable development goals, prioritizing the conservation of biodiversity in development plans, programs and activities of the Macro-Economic Zone, are regarded as the main requirements. Planning for proposed development projects, information on biodiversity and environmental characteristics and sensitivities with minimal damage to the biodiversity of the area can be improved by the management support system. On the other hand, in the planning process in order to have the projects established, tools to predict and investigate the environmental impact of development projects and also to prevent and control them are highly required. These methods must be as comprehensive as to assess and predict the effects of each project, and also to identify the cumulative effects on the CZM ecosystem. Strategic Goal 5: Conservation and rehabilitation of the cultural values and vision of the CZM Central Zagros region is rich in the country in terms of the cultural diversity and various ethnic groups have been able to adapt themselves to the natural conditions and that is why during past era, they have managed to have rational use of the natural resources in the region. Before, the livelihoods of the indigenous cultures originated largely in accordance with potential in the CZM. However, the increase in the population of the region that is followed by the increase in the use of the ecological resources has led to a widespread damage to the region. Therefore, currently, the existing livelihood activities such as those of livestock and agriculture have changed the structure of the ecosystem of the area. That is the reason for the fact that the use of these resources for the livelihood of the current practices need to be changed and reformed in order to be adapted to the ecological capacity of the CZM. Rewardingly, the revival of indigenous culture may underlie rational utilization of natural resources and procedures to correct the existing uses.

16 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial Meteorological NROs, Water Regional Offices, and NGOs, Companies, Organization Nomads and Nomads, MoAJ, NRO, Companies, Water Regional and NGOs Responsible DoE and offices of the provinces DoE and offices of the provinces - tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative -Continuous monitoring monitoring -Continuous of the and conservation and ecosystems vital hotspots in a biodiversity in threats the that way of the habitats sensitive will be either region or eliminated. controlled of wildlife -Implementation projects management with high in all habitats sensitivity 50% of project least -At and management with the conservation of local participation and civil communities organizations society should be planned, and implemented evaluated. Activities Strategic Goal 1: Conservation of the environment and biodiversity values - Developing the monitoring system system the monitoring - Developing and species status of the habitats diversity the-Planning and implementing the or control eliminate to measures areas sensitive of ecological threat and the range -Determining and ecosystems vital the conserving region in the habitats sensitive the restoration and -Rehabilitating ecosystems and fragile sensitive reproduction, - Supporting the of and production breeding of and flora of fauna species endemic the region the and implementing -Developing endangered protect to programs of the list red in the listed species for Union International and (IUCN) Nature of Conservation risk at species endemic the and implementing -Developing in wildlife plans for management value with high conservation areas and studies the -Developing of on the conservation researches in especially values biodiversity hot spots and wildlife’s biodiversity CZM in the identified corridors cross-sectoral -Promoting and and preparing cooperation the participatory implementing and wildlife management projects conservation Executive Strategy Executive Conservation of the Conservation biodiversity current and health of the ecosystems the Promoting and conservation of wildlife restoration and the region in the and qualitative quantitative of the development management wildlife plan 1 2 Row

17 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial and Planning Management NROS, Organization, Mass Media, Education, Local Universities, Nomads’ Communities, NGOs and organization, Broadcasting. DoE and offices of the provinces -Awareness of more than of more -Awareness local 70% of the values of the communities of theand sensitivities Mountains Zagros CMAs in each -ZMRCs and should be established fully activated. -

-Making culture among the local -Making culture for public communities conservation in participation programs of the of the knowledge -Evaluation the identifying society, target andvalues of the gaps existing and the of biodiversity threats training of the effectiveness assessment, needs -Training of and implementation development pro awareness the environmental the at of mountains grams levels and local provincial national, the and evaluating -Monitoring training activities and of effectiveness on of information exchange of conservation environmental based on the mountain criteria target’s and implementing Zagros the and activating -Establishing (ZMRCs) Centers Resource Mountains civil societies the by cooperated the technical - Strengthening the and empowering knowledge of and executors planners and awareness increasing plans, participation participatory the - Developing of management in the approaches areas protected of biosphere (such as management and other types of reserves) governance ). –mainstreaming (Private Awareness raising raising Awareness and participation of civil decision-makers, organizations society the for and people of conservation values biodiversity 3

18 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates MoAJ, Provincial MoAJ, DoE offices Governments, Petroleum of Provinces, Nomads Ministry, of Ministry organization, Energy Renewable NGOs Organization, Responsible FRWO, NROs of NROs FRWO, the provinces -

tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative -The rangeland -The rangeland to programs management and be developed least at for implemented 70 % of rangeland 50 % of least - At management rangeland plans with the of local participation and communities should owners traditional be planned, implemented and evaluated. energy -Alternative fuels and of fossil instead ones new developing 50 % least at using it for communities of the local living in the area. - - Activities -Raising the awareness and -Raising the awareness of the public about participation use and sustainable management participatory of rangelands the and updating -Determining and its of pastures capacity to the local introduction communities policy in the livestock -Changing the production live of heavy the replacement through sector of light instead crops on forage dependent stock on the rangelands dependent livestock by the use of rangelands -Organizing permit and the grazing controlling any do not have that farmers the preventing permission license the and implementing -Developing to plans and management conservation and water of rangelands, the capacity increase soil control and erosion conservation the rangeland -Reviewing plans and management and programs the ineffective eliminating ones the effective strengthening and use development energy -Renewable in communities local services to improvement resources rangeland conserve to order to with a view pattern, -Modifying the cropping particularly in cultivation, crops forage increase farming dry land inefficient use Guidelines of the sustainable -Preparation of and using them in the process rangelands planning and implementation and farmers for small common law - Granting of to support the operation facilities providing espe buyers, rights and traditional customary cially nomads, Strategic Goal 2: Restoration and rehabilitation ecosystems in degraded areas Strategic Goal 2: Restoration and rehabilitation Executive Strategy Executive Conservation, Conservation, restoration, of reconstruction rangelands’ in CZM ecosystems Row 4

19 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program - - Associates Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial Compa Water Regional DoE, Provincial nies MoAJ, Roads and Urban Offices of and Industry, Development Minis Mine and Trade, Energy try of Renewable of Ministry Organization, and NGOs Petroleum, Responsible FRWO, NROs of NROs FRWO, the provinces -

tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative - The habitats of forest of forest - The habitats under should be managed forest sustainable plan. management of - 500 thousand hectares restoration habitat forest of CZM. and enhancement -Implementing plan to Development cover the forest increase with canopy in the forest less than 5% of the 210 thousand hectares. renewable - Alternative of fossil instead energy fuels and the development living communities of local 50%. least at for in the area and - Development of endemic cultivation species of multi-criteria of and shrubs trees products non-wood and (pharmaceutical of in an area industrial) 210 per thousand hectares. -

Activities

-Raising the awareness and participation of the public of the and participation -Raising the awareness and sustainable management participatory about the use of forests the prevent to in order projects research -Increasing forests and resources of destruction facilities and deterrent infrastructure -Improving forests in the fires against areas park and revival reserves, the - Determining forest for and prioritizing the habitat and forest conservation and relocating in the forest livestock the -Organizing of purchase the for licenses in exchange grazing the law common the in villages the target for fuels -Supplying the fossil and Petroleum of with the Ministry collaboration and bio-gas energy use of new the planning for with the projects of development -Conformity and ecological restrictions forests of the areas sensitive with agriculture of the wood - Development with the support of species and native fast-growing and exceptions on land outside the forest farmers forest of the guideline use a sustainable -Preparing of planning and implemen and using it in the process tation with endemic the forests developing -Planning for species with endemic forest of destroyed enrichment -The species coverage of forest the maps -Synchronizing constructing and fire controlling and - Preventing disasters natural to prevent stations to firewood of consumption of - Changing the pattern support of the and gain energy and new cleaner fuels institutions, relevant pests forest and deal with identifying - Evaluating, of CZM and diseases Executive Strategy Executive Conservation, restoration, of reconstruction ecosystems forests’ in CZM 5 Row

20 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial Provincial NROs, MoAJ, DoE, Fisheries organizations in the provinces, Offices, Meteorological Water and urban rural and Wastewater Companies Responsible Ministry of Ministry and Energy provincial water regional companies - tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative -Comprehensive -Comprehensive of system monitoring and surface groundwater has been resources water fully and consistently implemented and -Groundwater water surface have rates withdrawal the to declined compared situation current quality standards -Water DOE by maintained are and MoE water of -The utilization purposes agricultural for and has not increased to increase facilities efficiency irrigation the annual and reduce use in of water amount this section should be considered and programs -New water to allocation use depends on resources of the water its suitability and potential resources user specified is in the land use plans and in the correct providing improving pattern, water on-farm and cost management will be achieved savings the top. from - - Activities -Evaluating the quantitative and qualitative and qualitative the quantitative -Evaluating the through resources water of characteristics regular of implementation waters of surface monitoring and and wetlands) (rivers and springs) (wells groundwater contami of of the main sources -Identifying affecting of the pollutants and organizing nants water with other relevant in partnership resources organizations of the efficiency to -Raising public awareness pollution of and preventing resources water resources and groundwater surface financial policies and incentives -Strengthening the for wastewater of construction long- breaks, such as tax plant, treatment of loans or other measures low-interest term financial for industry incentive balance of quality and and zoning -Zoning self-purification based on these resources of water capacity capacities and and prioritizing the allocation -Reviewing hygiene and water to of the right calculation and the environment the development -Reviewing are capacity that and use allocation projects, and groundwater to the surface proportional resources based on protocols allocation -Procurement re and allocating and wet periods of drought of available based on the actual amount sources resources water Executive Strategy Executive Conservation of the Conservation and quantitative qualitative of characteristics in resources water ecosystems water and (rivers wetlands) 6 Row

21 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program - -Promoting the use of non-con -Promoting and resources water ventional to sectors the private attracting of this in investment participate sector of aquatic the integrity -Protecting and identifying ecosystems, wetlands and rivers protecting boundaries use a sustainable - Developing and resources guideline on water and using management waste rural of planning them in the process and implementation and monitoring -Increasing to penalties imposed in order and uncontrolled prevent of exploitation unauthorized resources water water Integrated - Observance principles management resource

22 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates Governments, Provincial Water Regional Companies, mass media, cooperation’s, rural Offices, and Meteorological and Water urban and rural Companies Wastewater Responsible and the MoAJ, MoAJ provincial - - - - - Qualitative and quantita Qualitative goals tive agricultural -Sustainable based on a system produc comprehensive system tion management in 70% of developed lands in the agricultural region 10% of the least -At should area agricultural farming be under organic system 40% of the least -At inputs chemical industrial should are in agriculture and the remain remove of chemical ing amount is inputs of all products and main controlled in the limit of tained of land standard safety and soil resources. use in water of -Efficiency 30% by agriculture current to compared should be conditions and increased improved patterns -Cropping with poten appropriate is resources water tial and determined in the implemented land agricultural 20% should be least -At the economic added to per unit in productivity the farm Activities based on the pattern cultivation -Planning the of environmental In the form crops of farm analysis participation beneficiaries with the zones and educational -Carrying out the research-based, for the and incentives of facilities extending communities in the local of the participation and modifying the program agriculture sustainable methods existing and establishing -Determining potential with pattern the cultivation appropriate zone ecological and the resources water form of in the production of agricultural zoning - The zones similar ecological and monitoring -Environmental the economic, determine time the same at scanning of and social assessments environmental implement and land use planning to environmental of information layers different of development the sustainable -Preparing planning in the and its use guideline agriculture and implementation process and supervision control of government -Increasing inputs such as fertilizers the use of agricultural over and chemicals the support and providing legal the -Strengthening of implementation pricing water agricultural of associations, creation -Supporting the crop- of the corporations and cooperatives land of agricultural consolidation agricultural, to the farm subsidies -Directing inputs and and use of materials, production andfertility nutrition and in the factors biological protection crop of standardization and certification the - Establishing standards based on national process the production and the health of agriculture, areas in the environment Strategic Goal 3: Managing and controlling the impacts of unsustainable activities and uses Strategic Goal 3: Managing and controlling Executive Strategy Executive Developing sustainable for agriculture or controlling the reducing in threats agricultural activities 7 Row

23 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program MoAJ, Regional Water Water Regional MoAJ, The provincial Company, DoEs, Veterinary Office of Organization, and Cooperation rural and Water urban and rural Companies Wastewater The provincial The provincial and MOAJ Fisheries Management Provincial Offices - Sustainable aquaculture aquaculture - Sustainable should be based system least and at on the river farms in 70% of the fish is developed the region inputs -Use of chemical of emissions and control wastewater from up to farms aquaculture should be standard based on the controlled capacity assimilative river sustainable - Achieving resources use of aquatic and streams, in wetlands the to according potential ecological -Aquaculture development based on development -Aquaculture water of surface capability ecological in the region resources and farmers -Empowering activities in aquaculture improving with environmental compliance considerations river existing -Capacities of aquaculture towards plans (including development capacity and production capacity of the river) assimilative aquaculture of the sustainable -Development development guideline and its use in the and planning process implementation -Supervising and continuous of development monitoring and its use aquaculture projects -Assessing the recoverable region of the fish ponds and rivers reserves, of endemic species propagation -Artificial release of the and preventing in wetlands and non-endemic species in the wetlands rivers Sustainable Sustainable of development and aquaculture use of sustainable resources fisheries 8

24 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial DoEs and NROs, provincial Cooperation Office of rural Water and urban rural and Wastewater Companies Roads and Urban Offices of and Industry, Development and NGOs Mine and Trade, Cultural Heritage Heritage Cultural Organization, and Tourism and its crafts offices provincial -The implementation of -The implementation plan the comprehensive tourism sustainable for through and ecotourism CZM With an emphasis and on participation of the local benefit direct community required are -All tourists about the CZM know to do the and try to values conservation. - - -Improving the infrastructure and facilities and facilities the infrastructure -Improving the for required and of tourism development unanimous with the principles of ecotourism in with the nature consistence architectural the structures compre the and implementing -Developing and ecotourism tourism plans for hensive zone based on the ecological com the local and participating -Training and munities and NGOs in the development tourism and local of implementation from the directly benefit communities and nature tourism from revenues development tourism sustainable -Developing guideline and its use in the planning process and implementation and limits of the potential -Determining and including (physical of the area, tourists socio-cultural capacity, tolerance biological service capacity capacity, mental capacity, for calculated capacity carrying and ecological attractions) and natural each cultural Sustainable tourism tourism Sustainable development the control through the or reducing of tourism threats activities 9

25 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial DoEs, all relevant Provincial bodies, and administrative of agricultural Organization land, Meteorological NGOs Organization, Responsible Management and Management Planning Organization and the Provincial Offices Relevant of Interior Ministry and the Provincial Governors - tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative - Using the development - Using the development 80% least of at projects with the comply to have land use planning decision-makers -Planners, of and senior managers sensitivities the ecological and the needs of the area aware become to have about the preparation of it plan and the results used in development are planning for toolkit -Management planning and management used areas of catchment in the planning process use to and the capacity should also be provided - Activities -Implementing the land use -Implementing in planning and using the results policy and decisions making, and planning development comprehensive -Conducting of land use in the area studies planning based on ecological to and due evaluation capability hotspots biodiversity the planning tools -Preparing of the CZM and management of institutional and development use in planning and to capacity decision-making the risk management -Preparing including compliance program, drought change, with climate and development management for implementation capacities and establishment - Preparing, of the CZM management activating and improv system information and of monitoring ing the system of information dissemination and ratification -The codification, use of management ups follow of CZM plans in the CMA’s effects the determine and Identify - on change and climate of drought and mountains Zagros the central reduce the to strategies adaptation on biodiversity effects harmful Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable development in the process of resource use of resource Strategic Goal 4: Sustainable development in the process Executive Strategy Executive Establishment and Establishment of improvement planning and regional developing of tools management CZM Row 10

26 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Agricultural commissions, commissions, Agricultural and natural water MoE, Ministry resources, and MoAJ, of the Interior, NGOs Governments, Provincial and Planning Management and all Organization administrative relevant bodies DoE and Management Planning Organization DoE and Provincial DoE -Ratification and full -Ratification of the implementation on of the Law provisions and the conservation development sustainable Mountains of the Zagros -Guidelines and the for procedures development/sustainable and to be approved use to the for be provided implementation and the guarantee be use it to to capacity as well. created, the -Implementing strategic assessment environmental the proposed for in projects development CZM - - -Developing a guideline and integrat -Developing policies in the ing the conservation plans development provincial laws the ratification and -Codification and sustainable on the conservation in the CZM development annual the adequate -Providing provincial and national the at funding and sus conservation for programs of the CZM development tainable and ratification - The development, for of the guidelines and procedures development, sustainable be use of the CZM to sustainable implemented of activities the list -Determining impacts on the with significant of projects’ join the list to region impact subjects in the environmental (requiring assessment of plans assessment environmental important have can that and projects effects) mechanisms to -Establishing with other experiences exchange and international countries organizations the guideline and - Developing environmental implementing with of projects impact assessment and in terms on biodiversity a focus effects of cumulative of enforcement -Strengthen impact assessment environmental and monitoring -Continuous effects of the cumulative evaluation on the projects of development environment Adjusting policies, laws, policies, laws, Adjusting and policy regulations conserve to advocacy the CZM strategic Developing environmental assessment 11 12

27 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial DOEs and other Provincial agencies relevant Management and Management Planning and all Organization relevant provincial bodies administrative -Implementation of Green of Green -Implementation scheme Grants the CZM throughout -Senior managers, development and planners fully familiar are experts of with the development at and initiatives green 50% of development least and large-scale projects projects, development within the framework development of green preparation, initiatives, will be that construction operational -Developing the guideline and -Developing capacity the institutionalizing the designing and building for of major green implementation capability based on land initiatives Green Ecotourism, (Green Aquaculture, Green Infrastructures, Rangelands, Green Forestry, Green Livelihoods, Green Agriculture, Green …) Nomads’ life, and Green the and explaining -Introducing functions and benefits importance, to initiatives development of green and experts the managers, planners development Schemes Grant Enterprise - Green of the annual and and approval its funds for adequate implementation, of Green - The introduction Schemes Grant Enterprise of and participation empowerment and NGOs in its communities local implementation government -Gaining support from province particularly organizations, in and governors governments that the achieving generalizing of green in the development results scheme Grants Green and initiatives Zagros the Central across of the concepts - Introducing and land resources for payment and supporting the development projects, of piloting implementation Improving and Improving strengthening the Major Green Initiatives 13

28 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Associates Provincial Governments, Governments, Provincial and NROs, Provincial MoAJ, NGOs, mass DoEs, NRos, and media, Broadcasting, cooperatives rural Responsible Cultural Heritage, Heritage, Cultural and Handicrafts Organization Tourism MoAJ and the Rural and Nomads’ Organization - tive goals tive Qualitative and quantita Qualitative -The value of indigenous of indigenous -The value are and traditions cultures and strengthened. revived and communities -Rural nomads of the Zagros and been restored have their standard Improved of living. are that -The livelihoods Zagros with compatible the nomadic for resources will be communities and prepared implemented. - - - Activities

-Identifying and eliminating factors factors and eliminating -Identifying and culture in the loss of native and rehabilitation planning for culture of indigenous development -The public support and partici communities and of local pation and of culture in the revival leaders tradition to and potential - Identifying and support local encourage in the to participate communities of ecotourism, development the supportive -Establishing mechanisms (such as the granting and funding) of services, facilities of the living conditions improve to and nomads communities local detect, to studies -Socio-economic solutions in and provide identify a balance between create to order (especially the living communities of the nomads) and conservation Resources Zagros capacities existing the - Identifying and pre products and traditional for plans paring and implementing products of local the development and implementing - Preparing, liveli the sustainable evaluating and rural hoods and sustainable tribal communities, Strategic Goal 5: Conservation and rehabilitation of the cultural values and vision CZM Strategic Goal 5: Conservation and rehabilitation Executive Strategy Executive Conservation and Conservation of the restoration and native values and Eco- culture friendly traditions 14 Row

29 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Planning and Management Planning and Management Rural Organization, Company, Water Regional Heritage The Cultural and Organization and Handicrafts, Tourism and Nomads, Provincial Roads and DoEs, Offices of Urban and Industry, Development and NGOs Mine and Trade, FRWO and Provincial and Provincial FRWO DoEs and of Roads Ministry Urban Development, of Industries Ministry and Business MoI, villages and organization municipalities -All the restoration of -All the restoration and landscapes degraded and damage any avoid in the landscape change Zagros the central mountains management -Waste areas, in rural projects and tourist 50% of villages should be areas, implemented and -Awareness of local knowledge and 50% of communities in the beneficiaries of solid management will be upgraded waste -Preparing and implementing a and implementing -Preparing plan for comprehensive in the construction sustainable in CZM on the of landscapes range basis of plan preparation use inappropriate -Preventing in the ZM landscapes changes the and developing -Revising knowledge-based indigenous landscapes restore to initiatives reconstruction and -Rehabilitation including of the landscape, and forest of degradation and ..., rangeland, roads and of -Standardization to ways of green construction and potential tourism promote and pasture forest of conservation landscapes -Supporting the development and mines in industries of green and reduce jobs create to order resources on natural pressure to and Implementing -Preparing in management solid waste collect and tourism and rural areas rural in the Zagros areas ecotourism of raising and awareness -Training and to manage communities local waste control and implementing -Developing of rural guidelines and procedures management waste Conservation, Conservation, and restoration of the rehabilitation and CZM landscapes vision 15

30 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

8. Management System of Zagros Mountains The aim of designing a Management System in the region is to define the appropriate role of stakeholders and develop a facilitating, perky, small and decentralized structure for the Governmental Organizations in collaboration with other stakeholders (private sector, NGOs, local management and local beneficiaries), in order to achieve the cross-sectoral objectives of a balanced and sustainable development, it is required to maintain and conserve the biodiversity. Since the strategy and structure cannot be set independently of each other; strategies without proper structure rarely succeeds; therefore, regarding the C+SDP strategies of CZM, an appropriate Management System should be designed and activated. Environmental High Council and national committee for sustainable development have always been concerned about conservation and optimal management of sensitive and fragile ecosystems such as mountains and articles 187, 191 and 193 of the 5th development plan of the country confirms this fact. But despite all emphasis, the framework and the cross-sectoral management structure has not been formed, yet. In CZM C+SD P, various individuals, groups or institutions will be affected, or that could affect the outcome of interventions and activities, so none of the organizations can implement all objectives of the program independently, hence the need to set up appropriate systems, to be more precise and comprehensive “cross-sectoral structure” consisting of plenipotentiary representatives at all levels of planning is felt. The desired features for selecting the cross-sectoral management structure for Zagros Mountains are: 1. Ability to provide partnership and the establishment of an integrated management system; 2. Providing the required platform for integrated biodiversity conservation in the CZM development programs; 3. Having the ability to carry out the objectives of sustainable development and planning and budgeting supports and improving the livelihoods of the biodiversity products’ beneficiaries throughout the whole CZM; 4. The memberships and participation of majority of the key stakeholders in Za- gros Mountains management; 5. Being aware of the development goals, spatial planning development projects and the use of the basic resources and environment; 6. Being based on the decentralizing-based approach in accordance with Article 178 of the 5th Development Plan; 8.1. National Management Committee of Zagros Mountains Sustainable development and improving the local communities’ livelihoods has a cross-sectoral and socio-economic nature. Currently, the Provincial Governments and

31 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Management and Planning Organizations in the province can be counted as the effective cross-sectoral organization at provincial level which has been strengthened in the Fifth Development Plan by emphasizing on the decentralization of executive management. Moreover, with the re-organization of Management and Planning organizations in the provinces, the preparation for playing an effective role in sustainable development is provided. But for coordination and follow-ups of the integrated actions at the national level, there is no cross-sectoral structure and organization that can lead the related subjects to development and land use planning in the Ministry of Interior; therefore, the National Committee for Sustainable Development at the DoE, chaired by the Vice President is determined as the most appropriate management structure at national level, because of having the membership of all those involved in the management of the Zagros Moun- tains, including Ministry of Interior and Management and Planning Organization’s representatives. Combination of members and duties of the National Management Com- mittee of Zagros Mountains, is determined as shown in Chart 1 and Table 4. 8.2. Provincial Management Committee of Zagros Mountains Sustainable development requires using the capacity of all Institutions, Governmental Organizations and NGOs in corporation with socio-economic and environmental programs and seeing the programs as a whole and requires operational capability and comprehensive planning. There is such a managing and legal tool under the management of the provincial planning council; however, the monitoring authority of provincial DoE ensures its successful implementation. In the 5th development program of the country, through a decentralized program on governmental duties, 19 duties for planning, monitoring and guiding and 3 duties for budgeting have been notified to the provincial planning council headed by the gover- nor of the province. Under the planning council, there will be 10 professional working groups involved in the management of CZM including sustainable development that is the reason of forming working groups of the land use, environment and sustainable development as the Provincial Management Committee of Zagros Mountains that are required to do their duties as well as what is mentioned in Table 4. 8.3. Catchment Management Areas Management Committee In the 5th five-year plan of development, to increase the authority of the county in the frame work of the duties of the planning and development council of the province, a county planning committee will be established headed by the county governor and the members of this committee will be the heads of sectoral offices (corresponding provincial offices). Now, the county planning committees have the lack of approved professional committees but we can extend the structure into the whole CZM with minor changes, so that, first the range of authorities expand to the catchment borders (CMAs) and second, to expand the borders to some extend that can be managed and implemented.

32 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Catchment Management Areas Management Committes, as cross-sectoral and cross-county structure for managing CZM are determined at CMAs level based on what is mentioned in Table 4. This committee consists of governors and representatives of related key organizations in each of the main county (with vast areas), located in the CMA, and its head is determined by the provincial governor, it can be whether one of the county governors or each of the governors periodic (As shown in Chart 1). In addition, from other county (with less width) located in the catchment area, there will be only a representative of these county governors, in the CMA committee, with the right to vote and membership and attendance. 8.4. Executive Management Secretariat of the Central Zagros Mountains The National Executive Secretariat is established in Sustainable Development Bu- reau in Department of Environment and the Provincial Executive Secretariats are established in Provincial Management and Planning Organizations in four provinces. Table (5) shows national and provincial executive secretariats of Central Zagros Mountains. At the national level in order to align decisions in Management and Planning Or- ganization and take a special opportunity to manage regional issues of Zagros Moun- tains, National Executive Management Secretariat of the Central Zagros Mountains was formed whose head is the Director General of Sustainable Development Bureau in De- partment of Environment. This Provincial Executive Secretariat takes the greatest role, considering its location in the Provincial Planning and Management Organization, it can be regarded as the cen- ter for making decisions about the sustainable development activities; as suggested by the head of the Planning and Management Organization, the Provincial Governors, the Deputy of Coordination of Planning and Budgeting will be appointed as the secretary of the secretariat. This Secretariat will not succeed unless it has the appropriate structure and is facilitated with the required software and hardware and has authority. 8.5. Zagros Mountains Biodiversity Resource Centers These centers are activated with the purpose of giving information and raising the awareness of the beneficiaries, tourists and researchers, civil society organizations, local communities for conserving CZM, which are activated in the direct link under management of the provincial executive secretariat of CZM management. In this regard, NGOs play an important role in activating these centers. Simultaneously, another function of these centers is to support CZM management information system. These centers release required information for planning and CZM managing decision making from virtual space in the portal of the DoEs and make the information available for all the Zagros Mountain Management stakeholders.

33 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

National Management Committee of Zagros Mountains

Chair Deputy of Urban and Rural Development, Ministry of Interior

National Executive Secretariat Deputy of Production Deputy of the Deputy Affairs in Natural Minister Management and Environment in Director General of DoE of MoAJ Sustainable Development Planning Organization Bureau in DoE Deputy of the Investment Affairs Head of Deputy of Water in Cultural Heritage, FRWO Affairs, the Ministry Handicrafts and of Energy Tourism

Head of Nomad Deputy Minister Deputy of Mine, Affairs of Roads and Industry and Organization Urban Trade Affairs Development Ministry

Provincial Planning and Development Council (Land use WG as a CZM Provincial MC)

Catchment Management Area ZMRC Management Committee

Chair County Governors Provincial Executive (Periodic/Fixed-Term) Secretariat Office of Mine, County Industry and Deputy of Planning and Trade Governors Budget coordination Tourism (Province MoAJ NGOs Management Offices) (2 reps.) Organization Prov. Reps. of Fishery/ Housing Foundation/ Water Natural Universities/ Education/ Affairs CBOs Resources Urban Development/ (2 reps.) Org. Rural Cooperatives DoE Nomad Affairs

Diagram 1. CZM Management System

34 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Table 4- Zagros Mountain Management Committee’s TOR

TOR on the part of National/Provincial Committees TOR on the part of CMA Committees

- Full support for the implementation of the CZM C+SD program and Monitoring and evaluation responsibilities defined for the executive sectors - Providing an underlying environment for - Support local communities participation offers in cross-sectoral cooperation to support conservation of wildlife, forest, rangeland and tourism to development, ratification, and implementation of the related stakeholders and regulate relevant executive management plans and annual work plans across policies CMAs - Preparations of CMAs Annual Work Plan and monitor - Revising activities and existing threats, providing its implementation and also monitoring of operational suitable solutions, and setting goals and indicators programs in accordance with the five-year management regarding SD of CMAs plan and evaluate the performance of stakeholders - Cross-sectoral coordination in order to prevent defined responsibilities for the executive sectors environmental degradation in CZM and to - Review the annual budget in the form of CZM C+SD prevent/control unsustainable development/use program Projects and in the format of - Investigating/ratifying special actions pertain- prepared guidelines of the provincial budget planning ing to Biodiversity in CZM in the midst of critical council environmental incidents, especially in terms of - Review and distribute funds to the breakdown of capi- drought tal assets acquisition and priority to - Directing and supervising performance of active conservation and sustainable development management structures across CZM, and projects and programs in accordance with the central appraising implementation progress of CZM Zagros mountains conservation plans -Take necessary decisions regarding to the related duties - Coordinating improvement/conservation actions of CZM CMAs in terms of planning and leadership in order to - Facilitating and strengthening inter-sectoral and inte- conserve and rehabilitate CZM ecosystems grated coordination in programs of executive sectors (in - To Put forward budget plans, including their provincial and county level) with amount and allocation, specific to conservation conservation and sustainable development and SD within CZM program - To Investigate and ratify annual work plans and -Coordination with provincial committee and reports submitted by executive secretariats, to executive secretariat of CZM ensure fulfillment of planning and allocation of - Review, ratification and present annual reports to provincial/national budgets national and provincial committees - Review, ratification, support and supervision on Imple- mentation of Green Grant Scheme

Note 1: Provincial Governors and the NGO’s representatives and local communities in four provinces, as a member of the National Committee according to invitation of the Chairman has the right to vote and participate in relevant meetings. Note 2: In land use, environment and sustainable development working group meetings, the possibility of attendance of provincial deputies of nomad’s affairs, natural resources and fisheries and the representatives of NGOs and local communities, as a member of the Provincial Committee according to invitation of the Chairman of the committee. Note 3: The chairs of national, provincial and CMAs can invite relevant stakeholders and professionals to participate in meetings without the right to vote Note 4: At the end of each year the performance reports will present to inform and in case of appropriate orders from sustainable development national committee to the High Council of Environ- ment. Note 5: Management committees in all levels, as needed and identify the members of the Committee may establish technical working groups.

35 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program - - - mation mation System ical Infor ical Geograph Full system Full system almost almost Required Required Facilities equipments of an equipments of an equipments independent office independent office independent Grants (Unmovable) of the secretariat of the secretariat Sharing grants for for Sharing grants for Sharing grants implementation of implementation of implementation the annual program the annual program the annual program National executive secretariat ToRs secretariat executive National space space Place Having Having Having appropriate appropriate appropriate 1. Focusing on the progress of the works before other stakeholders and identifying and stakeholders other before works the of progress the on Focusing 1. and decision making. checking need that the subjects 2. Using a vast range of opinions of entities about complicated issues and making sure of the participation,stakeholders’ and holding scientific meeting and discus Mountains. sion about Zagros and them updating reports, the release and works the of progress the Evaluating 3. ways various and applicable in information releasing and conservation actions along with the for implementing 4. Coordination NGOs. and organizations governmental in CZM through development sustainable national annual plan of the CZM management and providing 5. Checking providing and calendar work specific to according meetings holding and committee annual report bank and informing for making data information provincial 6.Gathering levels at different approvals committee of the CZM management 7. Follow-ups and sustainable conservation of and evaluation monitoring 8. Result-oriented plans and annual plan in catchment in CZM and management development areas management PMO Provincial Provincial Location Environment Department of Department 2 4 Expert (Full Time) 1 1 Expert (Full Time) Responsible Responsible

, - Table 5- The Structure and TOR of National and Provincial Secretariats CZM TOR The Structure and 5- Table tariat Bureau Planning Deputy of Sustainable Department Development Development Secretariat Positions Secretariat Head of Secre Head of Land Use Provincial executive secretariat ToRs secretariat executive Provincial Budget Secretary Deputy of coordination coordination Development Development Planning and of Sustainable of Sustainable Bureau in DoE Bureau Director General General Director 1.Facilitating thestrengthening and makingcoordination and cooperation Level National Provincial between stakeholders between activating these centers. activating 2.Holding meetings according to specific annual working calendar based on calendar working annual to specific according 2.Holding meetings plan management levels at different approvals committee CZM management of the 3.Follow-ups secretariat plan of the work annual/monthly 4.Providing 5.Result-oriented Monitoring and evaluating theconservation and sustainable plans and annual plan in catchment in CZM and management development areas management Mountains. Zagros and discussion about meeting 6. Holding scientific to the body of them transferring and shortcomings existing 7.Identifying decision-making CZM management of the to the CZM it and presenting report annual/seasonal/monthly 8.Providing structure management and organizations stakeholders CZM related 9.Informing and 10.Transferring getting touchin successfulwith national international and experiments for CZM in MBRC system an information 11.Establishing 12.Facilitatingto implementconservation and sustainabledevelopment in CZM and also effectively areas management plans in catchment and annual work scheme Grants Green and implementing setting in participation gaining NGOs’ and ZBRCs support in activating 13.Technical

36 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

9. Catchment Management Areas Central Zagros range includes almost all of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari and vast area of Kohgiluye and Boyer-Ahmad, a huge part of Marvdasht, Eghlid, Abadeh, Sepidan and Mamassani in Fars and Semirom in Isfahan. It has an area of 3.100.00 ha. Before the projects Implementation all over Central Zagros area, in order to check the possibility of development, Implementation and practice of the suggested approaches and checking various encouraging actions, the projects was Implemented in smaller areas named as pilot management areas. Given the above, the results of taking action in PMAs in 2014 was evaluated and the way of sectoral use and natural resources management with following sustainable development considerations and beneficiary communities’ livelihood at pilot level was reconsidered and approaches for mainstreaming biodiversity conservation was identified. At the same time, the lessons learned from PMAs for providing CZM management system and designing catchment management areas were used. Lessons learned from the evaluation of the pilot program for managing CZM landscape conservation, ended up to identifying criteria defined as below, for designing and selecting catchment management area in CZM. 1. Catchment Management Areas should be designed and selected in a way that they are not extending across two catchments, nor across two Provinces unless in exceptional cases that it is about a small part of sub-catchments.

2. Each Catchment will be divided secondarily into a reasonably small number of Catchment Management Areas. Each CZM CMA must be large enough to enable the majority of conservation and development control issues to be managed within the CMA; and the total number of CMAs across the CZM should be few enough for efficient program management and operations.

3. Each CMA will include more than one County government area, so that the man-� agement system and programming must provide for cooperation between Counties in addition to collaboration between sector agencies. In order to do that, counties located in each catchment management areas, is divided into two main counties (with vast area) and smaller (with smaller area) and the way of their cooperation in catchment management areas will be defined on this basis.

Considering the principals and criteria mentioned above, 10 catchment management areas in CZM conservation landscape is designed. Table (6) and map (2) define the characteristics of the 10 catchment areas in CZM.

37 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Table 6. The summary of catchment management areas characteristics in CZM

Subsidiary Main districts Area districts CMAs Name of the (large areas) (Hect- Province (with less Considerations code CMA located in ares) width) in CMAs the CMAs

Scale-up because of the pilot Eghlid, Marv- 1 Kor 469076 Fars Abadeh program implementation dasht, Sepidan background

2 Abadeh- eghlid 276606 Fars Eghlid, Abadeh - Scale-up

Charmahal- 3 Lordegan 276266 Lordegan - Scale-up Bakhtiari

Scale-up because of the pilot 4 Vanak- khersan 533651 Isfahan Semirom Shahreza program implementation background

Kohgiloyeh- Dena and 5 Boyerahmad 221595 Boyerahmad Scale-up Boyerahmad Sepidan

Scale-up because of the pilot Kohgiloyeh- Boyerahmad, 6 Dena 205399 Kohgiluyeh program implementation Boyerahmad Dena background

Charmahal- 7 Broojen 139632 Boroojen - Scale-up Bakhtiari

Charmahal- 8 Koohrang 127790 Koohrang Ardal Scale-up Bakhtiari

Scale-up because of the pilot Charmahal- Ardal, Broojen and 9 Bazoft 420581 program implementation Bakhtiari Koohrang, Kiar Lordegan background

Charmahal- Shahrekord, Farsan and 10 Beheshtabad 396472 Scale-up Bakhtiari Broojen, kiar Ardal

38 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Map 2. CMAs in CZM range 10. Providing and Allocating Budget Providing programs and funding through the five year Development plan of the National and the Provincial: One of the most important outcomes of the mainstreaming is to incorporation biodiversity into sectoral development programs, so with regard to this matter, the credit contribution for each of the relevant executive agencies to implement the conservation and sustainable development of the CZM, every year, in the annual budget of the relevant executive agencies, predicts from acquisition of capital assets of the funds of the national or provincial and because of its activities in the Central Zagros provinces, using the mechanism of delegation by the respective provincial agreements swaps and runs. In addition, all the relevant executive agencies at the national and provincial levels are required to identify priorities for the implementation of this document, and to take an action in the proposed plan for review and approval in the form of five-year development plan and other development plans. Hence, the Executive Secretariat of the Central Zagros Mountains at National and Provincial Administration will be very important. The executive secretariat should prioritize operational action plan for supporting conservation and sustainable development of the central Zagros Mountain. Providing programs and funding in the form of an Annual Provincial Develop- ment Program: Initially, the provincial executive secretariats make the arrangements for the imple- 39 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program mentation of projects and programs in each CMAs based on the framework presented. For this purpose, each of the executive departments, upon the capabilities and orga- nizational tasks, in conformity with the conservation and sustainable development of the CZM, has announced its plans and programs. As well as other stakeholders such as the local beneficiaries and NGOs can raise their suggestions or undertake the duties of government agencies with the support of the provincial secretariat, voluntarily. The draft of annual work plan for each CMAs, which are offered by the summarizing the plans and projects, are prepared by the Secretariat and are provided by the arrangements to be reviewed and approved by the provincial executive committee of management in CMAs. In this process, after the approval of annual work plan of the CMAs by the CMAs Management Committee, a necessary funding will be provided from the public funds and credits, after approval. 1. From the budget of the county (the County Governor): The required funds are determined in the annual work plan for the CMAs, notified by the County Governors, and will be provided. through planning committees in each of the counties located in the CMAs, 2. From the budget of the Provincial Planning and Development Council (the provincial budget row): Part of the priorities of the annual work plan introduced in the CMAs , may need to have the support and allocation of provincial credits, in this case, the Provincial Executive Secretariat is needed to present the annual work plan and budget for the CMAs, in the provincial Committee and taking the required actions on the CMAs management and approval process through the allocation of funds to facilitate the planning and development of the province. 3. Direct participation of stakeholders from national and provincial budgets: Each executive party, based on the ability, priorities and programs may participate in the program of the conservation and sustainable development of the CZM. The primary approaches of financing are mainly through options 1 and 2, these options are consistent with the government’s current policies (delegating decision-making authority to the provincial planning council) (Chart 2).

Provincial Planning and Development Council (Provincial Committee) Provincial Executive CMA Management Secretariat of the CZM Committee Counties Planning Committee located in CMAs The executive plans Draft annual work plan Approved annual work offered by Gos and NGOs of CMAs plan of the CMAs

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: CMA Committee Making the decision Allocation budge

Chart 2-The mechanism of annual work plan and budget allocation in CMAs

40 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

11. CZM Planning and Management Tools The CZM planning and management needs using various tools that are based on existing capacities and potentials of the mountains upon which the management requirements of the conservation and sustainable development plan will be provided. This toolkit should help internalization of the biodiversity considerations and land capability in the planning and management process in an applicable way. It should be done in a way that the biodiversity conservation consideration in planning and management and the requirements of the beneficiaries can be faced and the development of the policies will be defined based on nature’s capability. This toolkit should have the ability to face requirements in long-term and provide the condition for preventing the increasing damages in the region and also restore the biodiversity parts especially biodiversity habitats. CMAs’ committee has a cross-sectoral and cross-county structure and can include po- litical area of several counties and various ranges of mountain management stakeholders. The governors of the counties that are in the CMAs will guide and mange it and the planning process in this committee will be done with cooperation of the Governmental Organizations and NGOs. Finally, the annual work plan of CMAs will be provided and implemented. It should be said that the annual work plan will have the ability to integrate the planning and funding mechanism at provincial and county levels through planning and development provincial council and planning committees of the county. CMAs’ committees and their members need to be guided about comprehensive and collaborative planning. This capacity building can be done along with process planning. It should be said that this ensures all the suggested actions and programs that are in harmony with the objectives such as biodiversity conservation and restoration and sustainable use and it will cause the determination of major and cross-sectoral actions with the cooperation of different organizations. In this regard, providing annual work plan in CMAs and the importance of the tools are defined: 1. Regarding the most important threats as the ecology of the region and opportunity as the sustainable development: in order to do that we need to identify and determine the executive priorities by considering the most important threats and opportuni- ties in each of the CMAs and with respect to the defined approaches in the conservation and sustainable development plan. 2. Identifying and determining the executive activities by considering objectives and approaches defined in conservation and sustainable development plan: in this regard, it is necessary to make required connections between the executive activities in the CMA annual work plan and objectives and approaches of conservation and sustainable development plan and we should be able to identify and determine main executive activities by integrating and combining sectoral actions and at the end, we will obtain a short list of major plan actions. 3. Annual work plan framework in CMAs: the annual work plan frame work includes information that can determine each of the activities of the work plan to which of objectives of the CZM conservation and sustainable development plan and it can also introduce the precise indicators for evaluating efficiency of the implementation of the activities.

41 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

4. Determining monitoring and evaluation indicators: gaining the desirable management in conservation and sustainable development plan and CMAs depend on the improvement of the monitoring process, accessing the information, reporting and evaluation. Therefore, it is required to define and identify the evaluation indicators of the executive activities with respect to qualitative and quantitative objectives presented in the conservation and sustainable development plan. Then by using the available information in mountain management Information System, the status of the indicator, its improvement along with implementation of the activity and reporting time should be determined. 5. Finding a location for the activities’ implementation: to apply the suggested activities, the catchment management committees should make sure that these activities have followed the sustainable use principals. The suggested implementation area should be in compliance with the land-use map and land-use zoning 6. Being in compliance with sustainable use guidelines: it is required that the suggested activities in design and implementation should follow all criteria and principals of the guidelines along with being in compliance with the territorial land-use map and land-use zoning 7. Technical progress report: as previously discussed, the suggested activities need to show the existing condition of the evaluation indicators and introduce its improvement along with the completion of the implementation of the activity; therefore, the reporting time will be determined in the annual work plan of CMAs. Presenting the technical progress reports to the committees should be done in regular intervals, every six months or every three months. After that with the complete implementation of the activity and continuous monitoring, we can have a precise evaluation of the efficiency of the implementation, results and achievement. Finally the CMA committee can put all the updated obtained information and findings in the mountain management Informa- tion System for the users (Chart 3).

Scale-up the achieve- Using conservation Using monitoring Using land use tool ments and updating and sustainable plan and CZM and sustainable use information and releasing development plan information system guidelines reports in management in CZM information systems

Determining Executive Integrating Determining the location of Approval of the activities presented sectoral activities monitoring indicators & executive activities by GOs and NGOs and determining indicators and principals applied in CMAs annual connection between reporting time in design work plan by CMA main activities with implementation allocating budgets C+SD P strategies and presenting technical progress report

Chart 3. The process of providing annual work plan and using planning and management tools in CZM

42 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

11-1. Zoning of the Land-Use According to the Ecological Capability Evaluation Achieving a precise and applicable plan in the region, land use planning, prioritizing zones, balanced development and sustainable use should be based on a precise evaluation system of ecological capability of that land. This system is different, considering its characteristics and it is necessary to localize the applied tools. A notable point is using the precise layers related to the flora and fauna and the existing habitats in the region and wildlife corridors. The ecological capability evaluation is the midway process of land use plan and any planning should be done with respect to these considerations and socio -economic conditions and documents. It is required that the planners should have these priorities in mind when finalizing the territorial land use plan. The ultimate output of this tool is the land use map which is done by prioritizing biodiversity, water conservation and considering local communities participation in decisions with respect to the lands potential for uses. Map (3) shows the basic map for land use in CZM. It is necessary to point out that the basic land use map is provided, at both CZM’s and 10 CMAs’ levels, and can be used in management and planning process of catchment management areas and locating the implementation of suggested executive activities related to conservation and sustainable development plan in CZM.

Map (3) - The basic map for land use in CZM

43 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

11-2. Sustainable Use Guidelines there are a large number of uses that the unsustainable forms of them can cause damages to the environment especially to the biodiversity indicators such as species, ecosystems and genetic diversities. Some of these unsustainable activities can cause the entire habitat conditions to be damaged and there will be non-normative development and unsustainable use of biological sources and CZM nature. Some of these damages are irreversible for instance unsustainable agriculture, unsustainable development of mines and path ways, unsustainable aquaculture, unsustainable urban and rural development. According to human activities, actions should be done to control the effect of human activities in CZM, in order to do so, we can use tools and different management and executive approaches such as land use plans with ability to determine ecological capability. On the other hand, using land use plans is not enough for the conservation and sustainable development plan in CZM, since there can be defined development and using activities in compliance with ecological capability of the region but the ecological criteria and considerations in design and implementation of them are not considered. In order to do so, achieving goals of conservation and sustainable development plan in CZM, can control and manage the effects of development activities through providing and implementing sustainable use guidelines so can have the minimum effects on biodiversity indicators and gradually the unsustainable trend of development activities in the region can move towards sustainability. On this basis, it is required that the executive activities in all steps including designing, implementation and use should follow all the criteria and principals defined in guidelines along with having compliance with land use in zoning in land use basic map. To do so, the following guidelines are provided and will be used in the process of planning and implementing activities.  Environmental Impact Assessment guideline in CZM  Sustainable Aquaculture guideline in CZM  Sustainable use of forest guideline in CZM  Sustainable use of water resources guideline in CZM  Sustainable use of rangelands guideline in CZM  Sustainable agriculture development guideline in CZM  Sustainable tourism development guideline in CZM  Waste water management in rural communities guideline in CZM  Waste management in rural communities guideline in CZM

11-3. Central Zagros Mountain Management Information System One of the main objectives of conservation and sustainable development plan in CZM is considering biodiversity conservation principals in governmental organizations decision making process before and after the implementation of the development plans. According to the records, in development programs less environmental considerations

44 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program were applied in the past. Awareness of the biodiversity-natural and socio-economic resources conditions in CZM can prevent deployment of unsustainable programs in the region by affecting decisions. In order to achieve this objective, we need an information system or a specific mechanism to provide organized and updated information for managers and stakeholders and all beneficiaries. Therefore, there will be a necessity to activate and establish a data bank, named as CZM information management system at both CMAs and CZM levels. In addition to that, a management information system should be designed and implemented in a way that the required information for planning, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the conservation and sustainable development plan and the decision making process, will be improved. This system includes 3 parts inputs, process and outputs. The gathering and categorizing information centre will be placed in provincial executive secretariats and Zagros Mountain Resource Centers in four provinces. This system is dynamic and all information are in access in a categorized way (documents, reports, studies, data, geographic information, Satellite Images…). The resulted information of monitoring process and any other report or study that will be done in the future should be up to date and uploaded in the system so that the decision makers, planners, experts, researchers’ and beneficiaries can use this information (Chart 4).

Input Information Information process Mountain management Output information system - The gathered periodical information Geographic IS station by governmental Gathering and Processing and organizations and according to territorial processing categorizing plan. information by information and Annual monitoring record and - Researches and provincial executive putting it in ZMRCs studies station reports. secretariats -Sattelliate pictures and other data and Information and data station information

Non governmental beneficiaries -Evaluation of the implementation Governmental beneficiaries of the conservation and sustainable development plan and feedback -Mangemnt -NGOs -Applying in planning process committees -Universities and research -Management and knowledge -Managers and institutes exchange experts -Beneficiaries and local -awareness raising communities

Chart 4. Workflow of the CZM Management Information System

11-4. CZM Monitoring Plan An Integrated and efficient plan of monitoring can provide the necessary data for managers and decision-makers to cover the deficiencies. Monitoring is a systematic process of collecting data during time which is done to be compared with a predetermined standard. Principally, monitoring is a tool to measure the results of management actions and to evaluate the current situation of natural resources and its changes. The key to the 45 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program success of a useful monitoring plan is its appropriate designing. Monitoring plan was designed as a management tool and with regards to sustainable development and conservation of CZM management needs. It can be used in planning and evaluating the performance of the plan. In this regard, the monitored indicators are divided in to the three groups: environmental, soil and water, and socio-economic resources (Table 7) and the summary of the monitoring plan for each group are provided in tables 8, 9 and 10.

Table 7- Monitored and measured indicators of monitoring and evaluating the CZM

socio-economic resources soil and water resources environmental resources Indicators indicators indicators The adaptation rate of dominant Public awareness and capacity cultivation compliance with Wild life species building cropping pattern The adaptation rate of land use Tourism Vegetation with land use plans Aquatic diversity and It’s usage Immigration rate Water use efficiency in agriculture status Underground water resources Nomads condition balance and its uses Weather and climate

The pattern of surface and Surface and underground water Industries and mines underground water resources quality consumption

Employment rate Sedimentation rate

Consumed Input rate in agriculture

The Monitoring plan implementation requirements: 1- Teamwork: monitoring needs a collaborative effort. When it is said that an organization is responsible, it means that this organization is responsible for planning and achieving the desired result; however, it is essential to work closely with other key organizations for successful implementation of the monitoring plan. 2- Data collection: In order to avoid imposing additional responsibilities on specific organization, all of the relevant and beneficiary organizations must continue the matters relating to monitoring which is in their agenda and give the collected data and the information to other key beneficiary organization. In order to avoided wasting costs in data collection, data bases are established in provincial executive secretariat and ZM- RCs of Isfahan, Fars, Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces and some mechanisms are predicted for accessing to the information (prefer-

46 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program ably via the internet). 3- Methodology: A good monitoring plan can provide appropriate plan. It is necessary to check full details of the methods by the relevant organizations and then they start to standardize and publish them. 4- Budget: Since monitoring plans can be expensive, executive organizations are responsible for funding and they have the needed credits (through national and provincial budgets). 5- Capacity building: Generally, it seems that the expertise required to implement monitoring program are available in Iran (except for the educational needs related to the use of new equipment and technology). It is necessary that CZM capacity building (empowering) program pays attention to educational needs. 6- Reporting: CZM provincial executive secretariats in Fars, Isfahan, Kohgiloyeh- and -Boyerahmad and Chaharmahal-and-bakhtiari provinces shall prepare a comprehensive monitoring report for each CMAs of the CZM, annually.

47 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The Budget Required Required National andNational provincial of budgets DoEs andNational provincial of budgets NROs Storage Information Provincial Provincial executive secretariat and ZMRCs Provincial executive secretariat and ZMRCs Time Reporting Semi-annual Annual report) Institution Responsible (monitoring + Provincial DoEs Provincial University NGOs NROs University NGOs - Time Measurement Measurement Taking Statistical Statistical Taking in the records (if there summers fund andis enough condi the climate in thegood, tion is as well) winters, Annual and theconsidering for time suitable using vegetation, and forest rangelands Place Measurement Measurement Wildlife index index Wildlife (CMAs) habitats in CZM having areas The and rangeland vegetation forest in CZM CMAs Table 8- The monitoring plan summary of biological resources The monitoring plan summary of biological resources 8- Table Parameters The wildlife migration wildlife The Determining the population the Determining diversity Species diseases Wildlife and of violation The amount and measuring Harvesting ofDensity and changes health status Oak trees Density of oak trees (numbers (numbers Density of oak trees -Species diversity and diversity -Species - of the species/and changes habitats - - corridors - - and fishing hunting illegal - parameters vegetation cover including: canopy of the composition percentage, percentage classes vegetation of bases number and the - vegetation abundance of species - - and drying in each hectares oaks) species vegetation - Endemic index vegetation and region

Indicator Wild Life Vegetation and (forest rangeland)

48 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The Budget Required Required National andNational provincial of budget MoAJ andNational provincial of budget Meteorological Organization andNational provincial regional water and company the responsible organizations Storage Information Provincial Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Time Reporting Annual Annual Annual report) Institution Responsible (monitoring + Fishery management University NGOs Meteorological Organization DoEs Provincial and and regional urban water and company and waste water water organization Time Measurement Measurement Seasonal Seasonal Seasonal Place Measurement Measurement In all CZM’s In all CZM’s wetlands CMAs’ and rivers and Synoptic climatologic meteorological in CMAs stations Sampling wells water of regional company, hydrometric in stations and wetlands rivers Parameters Quantity and diversity of and diversity Quantity of aquaculture number The of beneficiaries Number amounts Rainfall Temperature humidity Relative Nominal and productive and productive Nominal - in each season fishes caught - capacity - of cultured ponds and diversity species - - - - light turbidity, Temperature, hardness, depth, penetration and Cations EC, pH, salinity, Po4, NH4, BOD5, DO, Anions, elements, solvable metals, heavy of amount bacteria, pesticides, industrial urban, rural, in produced wastewater treatments wastewater Indicator Aquatic use Aquatic and Weather Climate Quality of and Surface Underground Water

49 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The budget required required National and National provincial of budgets MoAJ Provincial government and national provincial budget and National provincial of budget MoAJ and regional water company - storage Information Provincial exec Provincial secretariat utive and ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs time Reporting At the end of At in cultivation spring and autumn Annual Annual entity report) Responsible (monitoring + MOAJ Provincial government water regional and company MOAJ time Measurement Measurement At the beginning At in of cultivation spring and autumn Annual During cultivation season place Measurement Measurement Agricultural Agricultural lands in CMAs Sample spots in CMAs Agricultural lands in CMAs Table 9- The monitoring plan summary of water and soil resources The monitoring plan summary of water 9- Table Parameters The cultivation area (acr The cultivation of The compliance and variety Available of land use The process in each factors Hydrological and chemical Physical of the The Determination Inflow resources Main water water of rate Input Inflow of agricultural rate Inflow - of products and variety eage) - cropping area with cultivation pattern - of land-uses extension - in one or more changes periods - CMA - of soil characteristics - land-use with the compliance land use plan - - channels transmitting - consuming and land area water - Indicator The Compli ance Of The Dominant Cultivation With the Cropping Pattern The Compliance of The Land Use With The Land Use Plan The Of Efficiency Water Consumption in Agriculture

50 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The budget

required required

provincial provincial of sources regional water company National and National provincial of sources regional water company and National and National provincial of sources regional water company and National provincial of sources MoAJ - storage Information Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs exec Provincial secretariat utive and ZMRCs time Reporting Analytical Analytical on reports an annual basis Analytical on reports an annual basis Annual End of spring and autumn entity report) Responsible (monitoring + regional water water regional company water Regional company water Regional company MOAJ time Measurement Measurement Annual underground levels, water seasonal spring and aqueducts Seasonal basis On an event During spring and autumn place Measurement Measurement Aquifers in Aquifers selected wells, aqueducts, wells network and installed and pyrometers springs outputs springs, Rivers, and wells aqueducts In sub basins of CMAs and All gardens in CMAs farms Parameters Changes of underground of underground Changes water of ground The amount and Springs discharges the balance of Determining and of surface The amount and of surface The amount of expenses The compliance load Suspended sediment in selected discharge Flow of operations and area Type and diversity the amount of and diversity amount Precise statistical records records statistical Precise - levels water - recharge - and of the number wells the aqueducts and estimating water of underground usage resources - amount their usage estimating - resources water ground - sources water underground - usage water underground - with allocations - load by and bed sediment of mud measuring the amount unit in hydrologic - unites hydrologic - areas in upstream - and chemical of fertilizers them poisons and comparing consuming with the standard amount - entities consuming biological - Indicator The Ground The Ground Water Resources Balance and Its Uses Consuming Of Pattern and Surface Underground Water Sedimenta tion Amount of Amount Consuming In Entities Agriculture

51 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The budget required required National and National provincial of sources DOE and National provincial of sources Heritage, and culture tourism organization storage Information Provincial Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs time Reporting Annual Annual entity report) (monitoring Responsible DoEs and NGOs culture Heritage, and tourism organization time Measurement Measurement Once annually at Once annually at the end of each year Acceptance Tourist time place Measurement Measurement CZM CMAs Domiciles and temporary in CMAs camps ، ، ، Table 10- The summary of monitoring plan socio-economic resources 10- Table ، Parameters The amount of released of released The amount of and variety The amount awarding of The effect statistics Tourists tourism Main places for Domiciles condition tourism Specific times of The amount and variety of and variety The amount of active variety and quantity of provided The amount capacity building Estimating - articles and news programs - exhibitions, cultural festivals, and visits events - articles and scientific research - NGOs - in revising programs and development decision making management programs - tools distribution educational and access - results program ------Indicator Public aware ness and capacity develop ment Tourism

52 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program The budget required required Provincial Provincial and district government and national provincial sources and National provincial of sources MoAJ and National provincial of sources provincial industry, mine and trade organization Provincial government and national provincial sources storage Information Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs Provincial executive and secretariat ZMRCs time Reporting Annual Seasonal Annual Annual entity report) (monitoring Responsible Provincial Provincial and government county government Nomad affairs organization Provincial mine industry, and trade organizations Provincial and government county government time Measurement Measurement Annual Seasonal Annual Annual place Measurement Measurement In the first phase In the first 3 which lasts the place years, of CZM CMAs monitoring CZM CMAs CZM CMAs CZM CMAs Parameters Determining migrants Determining residence Determining rate tourism Determining and diversity The population and time, Nomads ways and pastures The livestock Nomads accommodation and of industrial The amount of environmental The status deployment Industry projects development Future - urban to rural from population to downstream and from areas areas upstream - population - - of nomads and tribes - of the and direction date migration - of nomads and rangelands - centers - mine units and employment - actions control pollutions - position geographical - population - Employee population residential - Active in CMAs rate - Employment - - Indicator Migration rate Nomads Indus try and mines Employ rate ment

53 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Appendix 1- Scaling up the Management System Program Scaling up the management system program includes the movement from pilot program to the conservation and sustainable development program in CZM, in the other words, transfer from short-time pilot program under the supervision of DoE, to permanent and long-term program in four provinces in CZM by GIRI. Scaling up the management system program in CZM, in two years through capacity building approach in provinces and in the government’s body, will be done by activating CZM national and international executive secretariats. In order to do this, in 2015, transferring from 4 current PMAs to 4 CMAs, and after that, in 2016, extending the model to all of the 10 catchment management areas in CZM will be done. 1. The Work Plan of Scale-up Strategy Considering what was said in the steps of transferring from pilot phase to permanent conservation and sustainable development plan, the national and provincial secretariats will have a notable role in extension of the CZM management system. So it is necessary to provide working topics (actions) for the CZM conservation and sustainable development plan and also estimate and allocate the budget to develop the management and Institutional capacity of stakeholders in CZM’s CMAs and with the purpose of deployment of the CZM managements system in provincial and CMA’s levels. Also can hope that the status of biodiversity under threat and resolving resources are recover. Also the full description of actions and the necessity of their implementation will be presented in table (11). Note: In case of CZM scale-up program, to other Zagros provinces, it is necessary to add another action titled as” basic studies” to the mentioned actions since in Zagros Mountains on contrary with central Zagros there is a huge lack of information and basic studies. 2. Providing and Allocating Budget According to the 5th five-year plan law, in better words, part (1) item (a) article (187), for establishing national integrated management of sensitive and fragile ecosystems working group headed by Doe’s head and item (a) article (191), providing ecosystem management program of sensitive habitats, required budgets for extension of the CZM management system in all catchment management areas of the four provinces with an area of 3 million and one Hundred thousand hectares for 2016 as the previous year of sixth plan and from 2017 to 2021 following actions of the plan is estimated 1364085 million Rials during 6 years separately in the following 4 explained projects: 1. The project of establishing cross-sectoral management system structure in CMAs and improving exchanging and releasing information system with 501144 million Rials 2. The project of improving knowledge and extending institutional and beneficiary communities capacity in management and sustainable use of CZM resources with 400225 million Rials 3. The project of providing biodiversity conservation management plan and supporting sustainable and ecological use with 191335 million Rials 4. The project of modifying and leading development and environmental friendly livelihoods programs with 271381 million Rials

54 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

The above mentioned projects merely lead to procurement and establishment of management systems within CMAs. Implementation of the actions and their budgeting by organizations and bodies within each CMA is not on scale--up plan agenda, and the required budget will be supplied from resources either under the governors and Province Planning and Development Councils or under national/provincial resources belonging to corresponding executive agencies

The management plans implementation costs of this project till 2021 according to table (12) should be predicted in the 6th five-year plan of the four provinces. It should be noted that the responsibilities of Zagros Project, will be ended in 2016 and the responsibility of continuing and implementing its achievements will be handed to the executive national and provincial secretariat, since the sixth plan budget is not specified, to prevent loosing time, the first year budget (2016) 82534 million Rials will be provided from the four provinces funds but the funds of 2017 after approval in the sixth five-year plan will be notified. The required budget for implementing the extension of CZM management project and providing management plans according to article 215 of the fifth plan by provincial executive secretariat named as new investment assets ownership suggestions in annual budget legislation with respect to items (22) and (23) of the budget and plan law, ensures technical feasibility (workload, timing, economic, financial and environmental report from executive organizations after the confirmation of vice manager of the Manage- ment and Planning Organization will be provided and allocated for once and with fixed annual price. The implementation of this project will achieve global standards in 2025 and by continuing it after 30 years the natural landscape of this region will reach desired quality.

Explanation: The funds of this program named as conservation and sustainable development in CZM includes 4 projects. In this regard, the public awareness raising and communication program and also the CZM empowerment program for facilitating the planning process and Implementation of above mentioned projects, will be prepare and implement by CZM’s executive secretariats. The fund of each province is completely related to the CMAs’ width and also their quantity. Considering the table (12), the timing for doing activities will not be the same.

55 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Table 11- The Scale Up and Establishment of CZM Management System Operation Description and Actions Row Actions Activities Activating MBRCs and expanding the services of these resources for public stakeholders Strengthening and activating executive secretariats of CZM management Designing and deploying management system and management Deployment supporting Information system in CZM catchment management areas 1 Improvement and and establishing a monitoring network and presenting information to activating the system the stakeholders Establishing and activating catchment management areas committee Providing and improving facilities of controlling natural and unnatural crisis Improving and providing facilities for monitoring biodiversity and natural resources in CZM catchment management areas Evaluating the need for capacity building and provision and implementation of the plan for strengthening catchment management areas committees, beneficiaries, stakeholders and mangers at provincial and catchment management areas levels Capacity building and 2 awareness raising and Provision and implementation of the capacity building program with stakeholders the purpose of strengthening the management and budgeting participation mechanism for CZM catchment management areas Analyzing stakeholders and provision and implementation of the plan of awareness raising and stakeholders participation in CZM catchment management areas Providing land use and ecological zoning plan of CZM resources exploitation Economic valuation of CZM functions and benefits

Providing Analyze of the biodiversity threats and provision of the management 3 conservation and plans and stabilization of the sectoral exploitations of the CZM sustainable use resources in catchment management areas program Local knowledge development and improving exchange technology and facilitating the access to information for stakeholders Recognizing drought affects and climate changes on CZM and determining the approaches to confront and reduce the damaging effects on biodiversity Implementing biodiversity and resources conservation actions Modifying and leading considering threats and unsustainable factors in management development and 4 sustainable and Implementing improvement programs and restoring damaged ecological livelihoods habitats and endangered biodiversity programs Setting Green Grants scheme and gaining local communities participation in environment friendly livelihoods initiatives

56 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program Total 92339 45135 65802 85970 62389 28592 37494 83656 62064 31540 47688 86069 116443 319718 214445 224948 215075 183432 120397 604973 501144 400225 191335 271381 1364085 2021 9085 5938 9726 6187 27618 21628 17069 75401 20233 14747 50644 19523 14409 12371 52489 51968 43348 17810 31232 94132 39020 70398 144358 119342 322891 2020 7900 5164 8457 5380 24016 18807 14843 65566 17594 12823 44038 16977 12529 10757 45643 45190 37694 15487 27158 81853 33931 61215 125528 103776 280775 2019 6531 7354 7320 9354 20883 16354 10497 12907 60641 15299 11150 40334 14762 10895 42331 39295 32777 20062 23616 90240 71177 44410 53231 115750 259057 2018 8407 9696 5234 6395 9474 6191 8134 18159 14221 11223 52010 13303 34628 12837 36636 34170 28502 15082 20535 98289 78469 61893 34914 46288 221564 2017 7753 9759 7741 4754 5561 7893 5443 7073 17516 11676 46704 13293 31349 13462 33872 29713 23059 14710 17857 85339 73984 50370 32660 40250 197264 Years from 2016 till the end of Sixth Development Plan (Million Rials) 2016 till the end of Sixth Development from Years 0 0 0 0 0 971 2016 8251 9653 1492 6249 6232 6095 6864 1019 2918 6400 19397 13451 13977 14739 18052 35709 35334 40800 82534 Project Sum of CZ provinces budgets Sum of CZ provinces Sum of Fars province budgets province Sum of Fars Sum of Isfahan province budgets province Sum of Isfahan Sum of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiyari budgets Sum of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiyari Sum of kohgilouye and Boyerahmad province budgets province and Boyerahmad Sum of kohgilouye Providing conservation and sustainable use program and sustainable conservation Providing use program and sustainable conservation Providing use program and sustainable conservation Providing use program and sustainable conservation Providing use program and sustainable conservation Providing Deployment, improvement and activating the system the and activating improvement Deployment, system the and activating improvement Deployment, system the and activating improvement Deployment, system the and activating improvement Deployment, system the and activating improvement Deployment, Capacity building and awareness raising and participation raising Capacity building and awareness and participation raising Capacity building and awareness and participation raising Capacity building and awareness and participation raising Capacity building and awareness and participation raising Capacity building and awareness Modifying and leading development and sustainable livelihoods and sustainable Modifying and leading development livelihoods and sustainable Modifying and leading development livelihoods and sustainable Modifying and leading development livelihoods and sustainable Modifying and leading development Modifying and leading development and sustainable livelihoods programs livelihoods and sustainable Modifying and leading development

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

Bakhtiari

Table 12- The budget of CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program’s Projects for each Province and Implementation Years Projects for each Province and Implementation The budget of CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program’s 12- Table Boyerahmad Fars Isfahan total CZM

Kohgilouyeh and and Kohgilouyeh and Chaharmahal Province

57 CZM Conservation and Sustainable Development Program

Abbreviations

- Conservation and Sustainable Development Program of Central Zagros : C+SD P of CZM - Department of Environment : DoE - Government of Islamic Republic of Iran : GIRI - Memorandum of Understanding : MoU - Natural Resource Organization : NRO - Non Governmental Organization : NGO - Ministry of Agriculture Jihad : MoAJ - International Union for Conservation of Nature : IUCN - Zagros Mountains Resource Centers : ZMRC -Ministry of Energy: MoE - Forest, Rangeland and Watershed organization : FRWO - Catchment Management Area : CMA - Ministry of Interior : MoI - Terms of References: ToR