News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project Summer 2015 - No. 10

License Holder: MENARID International Project Managing- Director: Parviz Garshasbi Editor-in- Chief: Houshng Jazi Executive editor: Nazli Honarbakhsh Editorial Board: Asyeh Rezaei, Ahmad Yazdani , Seyed Ali Vesali, Kamyar Shokouhi Razi, Mehrdad Zoghi, Morteza Behzadfar, Ali Hasanzadeh Lay out & Graphics: Mohammad Ghasem Bagherzadeh Publishing Supervisor: Ahmad Darmanlou Publisher: Balagh Danesh News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Foreword

Houshang Jazi National Project Management MENARID& SMLWR Empowerment and Education; A Proper Ground for Sustainable Development Goals Empowerment is a process of comprehensive change to cre- people and target groups. The following trainings are pre- ate the new capacities and promote the abilities of the socie- sented to management levels and technical experts of the ties in different aspects. To realize the process, it is required organizations: to promote the social and human capitals, because the pre- Danesh Novin Pardakht for environmental services, plan- requisite of each event and continuation of any development ning based on results-based management model, develop- and change is conscious and systematic contribution of the ment of strategy for integrated management of watershed society that is known as the pillar and core in development basin. process. Some trainings presented to local communities in pilot re- One of the characteristics of sustainable development is to gions of these projects are : the method of range collabora- internalize its concept of development across the genera- tive management , gardening, bee keeping, change of plant- tions and different levels of the society; therefore, training, ing method suitable for regional climate, carpet weaving, informing and potential synergy of the society will result in knitting, sewing, shoemaker weaving, planting the medici- mental flexibility and will expand the development indica- nal herbs and extracts…… tors in all quantitative and qualitative aspects. On the other The children and adolescents are the most important repre- hand, training & informing make the individuals have the sentatives of the next generations in educational planning. necessary flexibility to change & amend. Then, Menarid & Establishment of rural development centers including li- Hableh Roud projects are planned and acted on training and brary, toys home, museum of anthropology, along with train- promotion of all beneficiaries’ knowledge. The trainings ing to meet and native regions environment are the edu- in these projects were presented considering the addressed cational activities of these projects for present generation.

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National News

Cooperation between MENARID & Hablehrud Projects and Departments of Presidential Office Nazli Honarbakhsh | Communication Assistant

MENARID & Hablehrud projects, shall be provided for INRM. provincial, county and village levels. in their final phase, based on their The importance of such measures Hence, their applicability and feasi- strategic documents are obligated originates from the fact that the bility are tested to be successful. to transfer their strategies, achieve- achievements of the two projects In light of this, various departments ments and patterns in Integrated are realized as per the request of the of the Presidential Office informed Natural Resources Management local communities in coordination of the achievements and successes (INRM) from local to national level. with experts and direct supervision of MENARID and Hablehrud pro- Accordingly, a national framework of managers and decision makers at jects in rural development, women’s

Summer 2015 - No. 10 75 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project empowerment and also effective opportunities in villages based on lo- Eventually, in light of aligned objec- management of water resources ex- cal knowledge, customs and culture tives of the Department of Rural De- pressed their interest in further co- with Department of Women’s Affairs velopment with some objectives of operation with said projects. Depart- of the Presidential Office. MENAIRD and Hablehrud Projects, ment of Women and Family Affairs, Water Group in the Department of an effective cooperation has been Department of Rural Development Science and Technology selected established to provide the possibil- and Department of Science and Hablehrud as the best national mac- ity of replication of achievements Technology of the Presidential Of- ro project in National Water, Land and measures of these two projects fice have held consultative and par- and Environmental Technology in other rural areas in the country. In ticipatory meetings with managers Festival and requested exchange of light of this, National Project Man- and experts of the projects. knowledge in effective management ager of MENARID and Hablehrud, As per the agreements obtained, it of water and land resources with Houshang Jazi and the capacity was decided to share experiences MENARID and Hablehrud projects. building expert of MENARID, Mah- and knowledge obtained by these Hence, in order to the planning of dieh Pourshad were selected and projects in the fields of women and this Department to be informed of fixed members of the Think Tank youth empowerment in preserving the experiences of MENARID and Chamber of Investment and Liveli- the environment and natural resourc- Hablehrud projects, it was decided hood Cluster from Department of es, women’s participation in effective to provide a framework of coop- Rural Development to provide the and sustainable management of natu- eration and joint programs to be de- opportunity of share and transfer of ral resources and women’s livelihood signed and executed. experiences of these projects.

MENARID presented the new financial software to representatives of International Projects on Environment and Natural Resources Management Nazli Honarbakhsh | Communication Assistant One of the joint measures of international projects in of the financial process of the activities. In order to re- management of natural resources and environment solve this issue and achieve consistency in financial and within the framework of joint secretariat of these pro- monitoring processes of all projects, design and pro- jects has been design and provision of joint financial vision of this software was included in the agenda of and monitoring software for all developmental projects. the secretariat. In light of this, MENARID project in Following joint meetings of the projects, a dilemma that collaboration with the Conservation of the Iranian Wet- all projects were exposed to was lack of access to Atlas lands project, followed and implemented this project. software (UN financial software) and lack of awareness Training workshop to apply “International Projects’ Fi-

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nancial and Monitoring Software” was held on August 25, 2015 with the aim of introducing the objectives of this soft- ware and its necessity and importance for international pro- jects and also to offer a general framework for the software to the participants. Participants in this one day workshop included representatives of joint projects of UNDP-GEF and Iran Government on natural resources and environment management, UNDP financial experts and managers from UNDP Environment and Sustainable Development Cluster and MENARID managers and experts. In this workshop, Ali Nazari Doust, in charge of these projects in Tehran UNDP Office, expressed support and agreement of his respective office for the application of this software in the projects. Houshang Jazi, MENARID and Hablehrud manager, stated that provision of this software makes it possible to monitor realization of indicators as considered in the project docu- ment and also produces rigorous information on progress of annual and seasonal action plans. Niloufar Dehghan, ME- NARID financial expert who is in charge of design and pro- vision of this software, addressed that the model used in this software is result-based management model. Every project shall be able to enter its project document and proceed with various financial segments. This software supports individ- ual or server based computers in a project with the option to rank access to information. She stated that the innovation in this software is the possibility of entering qualitative and quantitative indicators and stressed that this portion creates higher discipline in financial measures within projects and reduces human errors and it is possible to include project document, annual and seasonal work plans, RDPs and other documents relevant to project activities which provides an opportunity of constant monitoring for managers. It was recommended for all international projects active in the field of natural resources and environment to apply this software in their financial processes.

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The 7th Meeting of the Joint Secreteriat of International Projects Hosted by Conservation of Asiatic Cheetah Project Asieh Rezayi | Expert in joint secretariat of International Projects

The Seventh joint meeting of the Joint Secreteriat of In- Review of recommendations made by projects as the ternational Projects was held on August 3, 2015 hosted agenda for next meeting. by Conservation Asiatic Cheetah Project in Khojir Na- tional Park. Representatives of UNDP and managers of The managers decided to follow some activities as be- international projects attended the meeting and the fol- low in their offices. Decisions of the seventh meeting lowing objectives were pursued: were as below: Follow up on the decisions of the sixth consultancy 1. Submission of the primary outline of pictorial docu- meeting of UN’s international projects; mentation of Mr. Bijan Darrehshouri’s experiences to Reporting on the development of financial software; other projects and decision making on future collabora- Reporting by Mr. Soleimani, Manager in charge of tion methods of each project. Wetlands project with regards to pictorial documentation 2. Replication workshop and its necessity was pursued of Mr. Bijan Darrehshouri; and held by Zagros Project. Reporting on Permaculture; 3. A training workshop for financial and monitoring and

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assessment experts of all projects in UN and presentation Kafshduzak Shop by Mr. Pazuki to the secretariat to con- of the software by Ms. Dehghan and Mr. Oskouyi. tinue operation 4. one-day training workshop on concepts and technical 6. Negotiation with Mr. Saman Golriz by Mr. Jokar with details of Permaculture with the support and coordination regards to methods of TV show production with a local of Carbon Sequestration project and Mr. Kasravi. community based approach. 5. Submission of a list of requirements and requests of 7. Next session is scheduled for November 3, 2015. Integrated and Coherent Management of Karoon Watershed through Implementation of MENARID Nazli Honarbakhsh | Communication Assistant

Integrated and coherent manage- This shall not be realized unless of local communities. Hence, ac- ment of Karoon Watershed, estab- through coordination and organiza- cording to the decision of the ME- lishment of sustainable livelihood tion cohesion within executive and NARID Project Board and as per and reduction of poverty in the area decision making organizations and the request of provincial authorities, are key factors of survival in this also involving local capacity and Great Karoon Watershed was se- strategic watershed in the country. knowledge through cooperation lected as a pilot site for MENARID

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Project. However, the achievements NAIRD project in the province shall and experiences of MENARID in cooperate with provincial FRWOs. integrated watershed management Other organizations cooperat- will be shared with this crucial geo- ing with Provincial Department of graphic site in the country. Natural Resources and Watersheds In order to implement MENARID are: Governor’s Office, Agricultural in Charmahal and Bakhtiari Prov- Jihad, Management & Planning Or- ince, four counties of Shahr-e Kord, ganization and Technical and Voca- Lordegan, Borujen and Kuhrang tional Training Organization. were selected as MENARID pro- Great Karoon Watershed includes ject’s pilot sites. Of measures un- seven provinces of Charmahal & dertaken to implement MENAIRD Bakhtiari, Lorestan, Khuzestan, Is- in this province the following are to fahan, Kohgiluyeh & Buyerahmad, be noted: Markazi and Fars and is the main Set up of monitoring and planning, source of water in the country. The technical and watershed manage- region is one of the biggest perma- ment committee of the region and nent water streams in Iranian Cen- official appointment of its members tral Plateau which consists of Zay- from various organization and insti- anehrud and Karoon streams. tutions, conduct of surveys, capacity It is worth mention that in other building and training of local com- provinces of Great Karoon Water- munities, induction of alternative shed pilots were selected and includ- livelihood options such as engraving ed in MENARID Project’s agenda. and holding relevant trainings, etc. Office of Watershed and Land Con- servation of the FRWO Deputy of Watersheds, Ranges and Deserts’ Affairs is in charge of management and monitoring replication of ME- NARID project in Great Karoon Watershed. MENARID project shall cooperate with the said office and the province as the technical pillar in replication of experiences. Other organizations and institutions in- volved in implementation of ME- News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Kamiar Shokuhi Razi MENARID Provincial Expert Sistan and Baluchistan

Environmental Journalism Workshop Held in Zahedan

reporting, member of Scientific Board of Azad Islamic University was the trainer of the workshop. At the be- ginning of the session, Mr. Pakzad, General Director of Directorate General of Natural Resources and Watershed of Sistan & Baluchistan and Coordinating Manager of International MENARID Project welcomed the partici- pants and defined some of the objectives as provisioned under International MENARID Project and stated that such cooperation and communication between the me- dia and Departments of Natural Resources is crucial and stressed that such measures might be effective in reflect- ing the news on the environment and natural resources of the province to sensitize the public on such issues. In the end he recommended that the participants set up Green Writers’ Association in the province which upon Environmental journalism workshop was held on Sep- establishment shall be the only professional journalism tember 5, 2015 in the premises of provincial Directorate association focused on natural resources of the country. General of Natural Resources and Watershed and 45 me- On the other hand such measure shall promote advanced dia active members at provincial level participated. This communication between the media and departments of one-day workshop focused on principles of environmen- natural resources and the environment. tal journalism and Ms. Babran, veteran of journalism and In the second part of the workshop, Provincial Project

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Manager of MENARID presented a progress report for end, each journalist was requested to prepare a report 2014 and participants were informed of the operation- on MENAIRD project. Final assessment of the majority al measures of the project. Then, Dr. Babran (trainer), of the participants was positive from the workshop and defined the objectives of the workshop and presented they considered it to be effective and recommended such concepts on methods of articulation of reports espe- workshops to be developed and held in the province in cially environmental news and different types of news the future. and methods of reflecting environmental news. At the

Result Based Management and Integrated Management of Watersheds workshops held in Zahedan

Result Based Management and Inte- 2015 in the Meeting Hall of Direc- Watersheds of Sistan & Baluchistan. grated Management of Watersheds torate General of Natural Resources In this session, Jazi, National Man- were arranged in collaboration with and Watersheds of Sistan and Balu- ager of MENARID & Hablehrud the members of Technical Experts chistan, and attended by Mr. Pakzad, Projects defined the concept of inte- Committee and Regional Manage- Director General of the Directorate grated management of watersheds, ment of the project on August 25, General of Natural Resources and challenges and strategies. He stated

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that the main objective of the project pert of Hablehrud project presented zation of specific results/outcomes in the second phase is to provide a key concepts of result-based man- and ensure that their processes, prod- model for integrated management of agement. At the end the participants ucts and services have an effective watersheds with the aim of achiev- were divided into four groups of five role in realizing provisioned results ing sustainable development and to in order to undertake an exercise (outcomes, achievements, higher ob- promote the state of natural resourc- with regards to review and re-writ- jectives and impacts). es and to control land degradation ing organizational objectives based These stakeholders, considering through participatory approaches. on SMART and the reports of the ex- their level of involvement and using He stated that adopting result-based ercise were presented by group rep- available data and evidence based management approach in execu- resentatives. Technical expert of Ha- on real results in the fields of design, tive measures is very effective and blehrud, then, introduced the result- efficiency and effectiveness of pro- stressed that consideration of such based management approach and jects and activities and also account- approach in the processes of deci- relevant concepts and terminology. ability and reporting, inform the de- sion making, design and implemen- She introduced result-based man- cision makers. At the end, a poll was tation of the projects shall realize the agement as a management approach undertaken in the workshop and by objectives provisioned. where all stakeholders, directly or majority vote it was assessed to be Then Ms. Karimi Pour, technical ex- indirectly, cooperate towards reali- successful. Travel of three members of Yavaran Farhang Group from Hazin Ebn Abdollah Library in Ali Akbar City to Tehran was arranged Ms. Shahraki, Ms. Zoor and Farnam, three young librar- ians as members of Yavaran Farhang Group from Hazin Ebn Abdollah Library in Ali Akbar City travelled to Teh- ran to benefit best practices and visited various cultural and training centers. This four day visit started on August 16, 2015 when the group visited House of Librarians. There are various de- partments of training on story telling and children read- ing, children’s library and libraries for parents for their induction on child education and training concepts and different projects are undertaken to encourage children and parents to read books of which book reading project for schools is one to be mentioned. On the second day,

Summer 2015 - No. 10 67 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project the group visited Institute for the Intellectual Develop- ment of Children and Young Adults and observed the ac- tivities of the institute closely. On the third day a visit was arranged for International Dolls Museum of the UN which is a private museum with a formal approval as obtained from Cultural Heritage Or- ganization. This museum was established in 2014 with the efforts of Mr. Masoud Naseri Daryayi and Ali Golshan and by the support of Ms. Farideh Naseri Daryayi in Tehran and not only provides an opportunity for the visitors, especially Iranian children and adolescents, with various cultures all over the country and might serve as a tool to introduce the cultures of other nations all over the world which is an opportunity to establish friendship and empathy and is the first step towards building peace among humans. and its various sections including its digital library were The museum accommodates 500 dolls mostly dolls of visited. On the same day a visit was made to Kafshduzak cultural significance from different nations, puppets shop where rural and nomadic food products and handi- and shadow puppets from 52 countries from all over the crafts are sold with the aim of preserving natural resourc- world and a collection of different tribes of Iran. The mu- es and environment and induction of healthy products to seum holds training workshops and quarterly exhibitions the public. to introduce the audience to the culture and dolls of Iran This four-day visit which was planned with the aim of and all over the globe. promoting local competence might serve as an effective On the fourth day, public library of Hosseiniyeh Ershat step to promote culture among children and adolescents.

Visit of Provincial Executive Manager and Experts of MENARID from Best Practices in New Energies Following the Seminar on New Energies in Zabol Uni- projects to be implemented in the region. In this trip on versity and trip of Dr. Soleimani Mehr, member of sci- August 15, 2015, a visit was arranged to 100 Mega Watt entific board of Renewable Energy Faculty of Isfahan Solar Energy Center which is established by one billion Industrial University to Sistan region and assessment of Toman investment by the private sector in Isfahan. In this existing potentials with regards to new energies, a trip visit, information on implementation arrangements and was arranged by provincial experts and executive manag- management of databank and also State Guaranteed Pur- er of the project to assess the opportunities and potential chase from micro power plants was presented.

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In using new energies, Isfahan Municipality has taken operational initiatives which shall be effective in pro- moting the culture of benefiting new energy sources. Application of new sources of energy is not limited to these projects and there are best practices of installa- tion of solar water heaters and solar panels in villages which indicates proper fostering of culture. Then Water and Soil Faculty of Isfahan Industrial University was visited. In this visit, Dr. Haddadi presented information on the researches and stud- ies conducted in the field of reforming saline and alkaline soil and use of waste water in irrigation and other usages. He stated that the best measure in reforming soil in areas like Sistan that suffer the issue of drainage, like traditional methods is using constant washing. However, this is a difficult task considering water shortage and high rate of evapo- ration in the region. Then, Sarvari Nejad, Provincial Executive Manager of MENARID Project described primary drainage and saline water refining using so- lar humidification which are designed by him. He explained that considering drainage problem it is possible to dig a well in the middle of the land and considering the negative pressure created natural drainage is absorbed by this well. Then using solar humidification it is possible to refine water. The pro- cess continued to the point that the land is refined. Dr. Haddadi stressed on such measures and recom- mended follow up on this concept by the project as a strategic measure to refine soil in Sistan area and pointed that this measure requires trial and further research. Then with regards to water generators us- ing humidity he said that these generators can use solar energy in 40 percent humidity to generate 100 million cubic meters water annually; this amount considering problems that Sistan is exposed to, is

Summer 2015 - No. 10 65 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project very effective. Each generator unit price is 35 billion To- plained the performance of solar water heaters and ovens man and considering presence of half-wells and evapora- and fridges. He defined the potentials of solar energy in tion rate, these generators are very effective. Sistan area and stated that solar ovens considering high Then Laboratory & New Energy Research Center at solar radiation in Sistan area are very effective especially the University was visited and Dr. Soleimani Mehr ex- for nomad tribes.

Climate change studies in Hirman & it effect on land degradation launched in collaboration with Geology Faculty of Sistan & Baluchistan University One of the issues that Sistan area is exposed to is the project. Consequently, an agreement of coopera- the result of reduced level of water entering the area tion was signed and executed with Geology Faculty which has resulted in drying of International Ham- of Sistan & Baluchistan Univeristy and scientific oon Wetland. In light of this, many genetic reserves competence of the faculty was reviewed and as- of the area are affected and many are extinct. Cur- sessed in various meetings. Eventually it was de- rently, many causes are considered for this incident cided that in order to launch the study a bipartite of which drought and climate change are the most agreement to be drafted and executed in order for important ones. the research to be conducted as a joint effort and In light of this, in the national meeting of work plan for funds to be allocated partially by MENARID provision for 2015 it was decided to conduct a sci- project. Then, service description as inteded for the entific investingation on the issue and its effect on agreement was discussed and agreed upon and op- land degradation which is one of the objectives of erational measures were taken.

MENARID Projects Regional Management Committee Meeting was Held in the Governor’s Office of Hamoon County First meeting of Regional Manage- of Hamoon County Governor’s Of- County, expressed her gratitude to- ment Committee was held on Au- fice. In this meeting, Masoumeh wards county authorities and stated gust 12, 2015 in the meeting hall Parandvar, Governor of Hamoon that the best objective for authori-

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ties is to empower rural communi- Second meeting of Regional Man- all affairs shall be the responsibil- ties to promote economic cycle in agement Committee on September ity of provincial executive manager rural areas and requested all partici- 10, 2015 was held with representa- of MENARID and each executive pants to cooperate towards realiza- tives of Hamoon County executive body at county level shall take part tion of MENARID provisions in the bodies with the aim of assessing in undertaking such responsibilities. county. Then Alireza Sarvari Nejad, progress of various activities. In this In the third meeting attended by all Provincial Executive Manager of session, along with presentation of members dated September 22, 2015, MENARID Project, presented an activity progress as per provisioned progress of affairs with regards to induction to MENARID project and schedule, the progress of activities the exhibition an state of realization reported on the performance of the was assessed to be very desirable. of provisioned objectives in ME- project in 2015 and first semester of The issue of attending the exhibition NARID project were discussed and 2015 and defined project operational on Village Day was discussed in this the progress level was assessed to be plan for the second half of 2015. meeting. The exhibition was held in acceptable. He added that, MENARID project, autumn 2015 in Tehran to demon- considering the main approach of strate rural capacity in the country. the project is in fact a link connect- In this meeting it was decided that ing the local community and execu- considering social capacities created tive bodies. in MENARID site, coordination of

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Training-livelihood course of patchwork was held in Sanchuli and Shahr Ali Akbar villages Considering that one of the objectives of ME- NAIRD project is to create alternative and sustain- able livelihood for local communities with the aim of reducing pressure on natural resources, follow- ing numerous sessions held with handicraft manu- facturers, patchwork was considered as an option for the rural communities of pilot villages. First, in order to assess the potential of such decision, meet- ings were held with local communities and a list of interest applicants to learn patchwork was provided in order to properly plan for training of different groups. In light of this, considering that the idea was well received by the local communities of pi- lot villages it was decided to divide applicants into small groups. Eventually one week training workshop started on August 9, 2015 in two shifts of morning and even- ing in Shahr Ali Akbar and Sanchuli villages facili- tated by Ms. Naderi Far. In these workshops, 35 in- terested women in patchwork in Sanchuli and Shahr Ali Akbar villages participated and learned how to prepare makeup bag, key holder, pin cushions and reels, bed cover with leaf design. Also, in order to save costs, trainees, in their own interest would split into workgroups and purchased required material for patchwork as a group which in fact increased the production speed. It was decided for another training workshop to be held after the trainees have had sufficient practice on their preliminary training.

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Defining effective agriculture model in Hamoon site in collaboration with Agricultural & Natural Resources’ Research & Training Center started Upon execution of an agreement of project partner- with direct supervision. ship with Agruculture & Natural Resources’ Research It was also decided that trainings shall be held for loca & Training Center in Sistan and once defining a agri- communities and operational arrangements shall be culture model for Hamoon site was considered in the presented to them and eventually for local applicants in agenda of the project, sessions were held with the re- villages it should be possible to continue the operation search center in this regard. The results of such meet- in consultation with the center and supervision by the ings include description or primary services to define center to eventually compare two operational models effective agriculture model. with evidnce and provide proper analysis. In this agree- In light of this it was decided that this center shall start ment, it was provisioned for MENARID project to par- sample cultivation in one growth cycle in two hectares tially provide funds and the remaining amount shall be of land in two pilot villages of Deh Bolan and Keykha provisioned by the research center.

Selected provincial experts participated in training on construction of fuel free greenhouses in One of the outcomes of scientific- In light of this it was decided for a houses. In this visit, operational site training group visit of MENARID number of agricultural experts from in Behabad, land selection criteria Project’s stakeholders to China was Sistan & Baluchistan province to for greenhouse construction and its transfer of knowledge on construc- participate in a training workshop in various features were discussed. On tion of fuel free greenhouses in Yazd. Experts were selected through the second day a meeting was held operation sites of MENARID and correspondence with provincial Ag- with experts where different meth- Hablehrud Projects. In light of this ricultural Jihad and Iran Agricultural ods and structural design approach- a group of Chinese experts visited Engineering Organization and Zabol es were discussed and shared and sites of these two projects to as- University. The training workshop it was decided for complementary sess the potential of construction of was held on August 29, 30 with fa- information to be provided in future such greenhouses and to train local cilitation of Mr. Jao, expert in con- trips upon review and analysis of experts on construction methods. struction of Chinese model green- collected data.

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Mehrdad Zoghi MENARID Provincial Expert Kermanshah

In his visit from Razin site of MENARID project, Razavi said: Implementation of projects like MENARID is fully beneficial for our country

Abodfazl Razavi, Deputy of Rural Development Plan- munity involvement and participation in exploitation of ning of the Presidential Office in his one day trip to Ker- natural resources, organizational reinforcement and co- manshah province in summer 2015 visited achievements hesion among governmental and non-governmental or- of MENARID project in Razin Site. ganizations towards integrated and comprehensive man- In this visit, Ali Akbar Darabi, Deputy of Watershed of agement of watershed regions. Kermanshah FRWO introduced MENARID project and In this visit, Dr. Razavi stated that government is focused its operational objectives. He stated that the main ob- on rural development and capacity building of rural com- jective of MENARID project is to reinforce rural com- munities through transforming villages into centers of

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wealth development by rural community participation. natural resources, ranges and the environment which are This is the way to stabilize rural population and end implemented through local community participation and migration to cities from villages through production of are beneficial for our country. proper livelihood opportunities; through such approach, MENARID project has trained women on production of objectives of sustainable development shall be realized. handicrafts with the aim of developing knowledge and He visited handicrafts and production of women in Razin empower rural women, and introducing alternative live- village and stated that MENARID and Carbon Sequestra- lihood opportunities to support their household economy tion Projects are both invaluable projects in preserving through sales of such productions. One-day training on legal challenges and conflict of natural resources with current national rules and regulation in integrated management of natural resources One of the objectives of MENARID project is to enhance knowledge and promote awareness of national and local beneficiaries. Arranged by provincial office of the project and Legal De- partment of Directorate General of Natural Re- sources and Watershed of Kermanshah province a one-day training workshop titled “Challenges and Conflicts of Natural Resources with Current National Rules and Regulations in Integrated Mnagement of Natural Resources” was held on September 8, 2015 in the meeting hall of Agri- cultural Jihad of Kermanshah. The objective of this training workshop was to promote knowl- edge in legal experts in organizations involved in natural resources and the environment. Twenty five legal experts, departments of conservatriona and land affaris, technical watershed and head of legal departments of natural resources of subsidi- ary counties and legal experts of Agricultural Ji- had and Department of the Environment of Ker- manshah participated. Mr. Amini and Mr. Davari were trainers of the workshop.

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Following a Visit from Best Practices of Chaghaginu Village Local Community invited chairman of Mahidasht district council in Kermanshah province to visit the council of Razin Village In Chghaginu Village in Mahidasht district of Kermanshah province, ef- fective measures are taken in collaboration and through active participa- tion of the local community. Construction of a mosque, a public library, football court, resolving drainage issues in the village, implementation of Hadi project and set up of vermi-compost fertilizer production and devel- opment of green spaces in the village are some of the effective measures undertaken. Hence, MENARID project’s provincial office and Mahidasht district council arranged and coordinated a visit from the village and its best practices for local communities of Razin, Zameleh and Bulan as the pilot sites of MENARID project for mid-summer 2015. In this visit, Mr. Bahmani, chairman of Community Council of Chaghag- inu Village explained the arrangements of development projects under- taken in collaboration with the local community and governmental organi- zations. He stated that the main reason of sustainability of these projects was the endeavor and collaboration of the village Governor, members of Islamic Council and strict follow up of the village community. He pre- sented the implementation process, from the starting point to the end in a power point file to the local community. Then the delegation visited the public library of Chaghaginu village, vermi-compost production project, sports club and football court of the village and implementation process of village drainage system, Hadi project, etc. which are all measures under- taken in collaboration with the local community and intense follow up of the village governor and members of the council. Local communities of MENARID’s pilot sites closely observed implementation process of such projects. Razin local community requested Mr. Bahmani to attend the lo- cal community council’s meeting and it was decided to coordinate with the provincial office of MENARID project for Mr. Bahmani to explain implementation of such projects of all village council members in Razin.

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Watershed Management Committee Meeting in Kermanshah County cal community representatives raised their issues and requested the experts to visit their villages to observe those issues closely in order to recommend proper so- lutions. The meeting concluded and the following deci- sions were made: 1- In case a piece of land is presented by village com- munity, Department of Sports & Youth shall take meas- ures to establish sports space. 2- Considering bad reception of cellphones in the vil- lages of the region it was decided for the Department of Communication to undertake required follow ups and inform the community of the results. 3- It was decided for relevant organizations to visit said villages to assess the problems.

Watershed Management Committee meeting was held in the premises of Kermanshah County Governor’s Of- fice in September. In this meeting, problems and issues of MENARID project’s pilot villages were reviewed and followed up. In the meeting chaired by Mr. Ghobadi, Deputy to the Governor, Ali Hassan Zadeh, Provincial Execu- tive Manager of the project, stated that the objectives of this meeting is to review and discuss problems of MENARID’s pilot villages while representatives of the local communities of these villages are present. Eleven members of the local communities of Bulan, Razin and Zameleh villages participated in the meeting and de- fined the problems their villages are exposed to.Lo-

Summer 2015 - No. 10 57 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Visit of Kermanshah County’s Watershed Management County of Pilot Villages Following the approvals of the last potential in the region it was decided Watershed Management Committee to make necessary arrangements for meeting, members of the commit- dissemination of information to at- tee including Deputy to the Gover- tract investments in crop processing. nor and representatives of various 6- It was decided for the Governor’s organizations involved visited ME- Office to follow up on Article 180 to NARID project’s pilot villages in complete Hadi Project in Razin vil- September 2015. In this visit, first a lage as the project is incomplete. meeting was held in the premises of 7- It was decided that subject to col- the Governorate attended by repre- laboration of Razin village communi- sentatives of various organizations ty in cleaning animal waste from canal and Governor of Razin, Ms. Ros- periphery and separation of domestic tami. In this meeting, Mr. Hassan credit lines. drainage from this canal, Governor’s Zadeh, described the problems of 3- To construct the drainage network Office in collaboration with MENAR- each village. After visiting Razin in Razin village considering agree- ID shall take measures to construct the and Zameleh and Bulan villages the ment of the village population it was remainder of the canal for 410 meters. following were discussed: decided for every household to pay 8- It was decided to follow up on 1- Mr. Rahimi from the Department IRR 5000 public support and Abfar fund provision for construction and of Agricultural Jihad of the County Company shall estimate the construc- renovation of mosques in Zameleh stated that Department of Water & tion costs. Also, Bilvar Governor’s and Bulan. Land shall follow up construction of Office was commissioned to made 9- It was decided that Office of Li- water reserve pond and installation necessary follow up with Housing brary Affairs in coordination with of 1000 meters pipeline for Bulan Fund and Rural Affairs’ Office for par- Housing Fund to identify a location village. In Zameleh or Sar Zameleh ticipatory implementation of drainage to construct a library in Razin village. village it is provisioned in the agen- network construction in Razin village. 10- It was decided that upon identi- da of Agricultural Jihad of Kerman- 4- It was decided for the chairman fication of a location by the commu- shah County to construct a water re- of district council to make necessary nity suitable for sports club in Razin serve pond and install one hundred coordination with the Islamic Coun- village, Housing Fund shall take meters of pipeline. cil of Bulan village for destruction measures to tabulate and pave the 2- It was decided for the Governor’s houses on the operation route of land and the Governor’s office shall Office to take measures to provide Hadi project. provide the goal gate and Organiza- potable water and water for horti- 5- In the field of processing agricul- tion of Sports & Youth shall procure culture through article 180 or other tural crop, considering existing high clothes and balls.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 56 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Urami Giveh Weaving Workshop for Women in Bulan & Razin Villages Urami Giveh Weaving workshop was held with the aim of training, empowerment and to reduce depend- ence of local communities to natural resources and to promote rural households income for 60 women in Bulan and Razin Villages. This training workshop was held by MENARID pro- ject in collaboration with Cultural Heritage, Handi- craft and Tourism Organization for rural women. The said organization deployed professional trainers to the villages and MENARID project provided the raw ma- terial for 30 training sessions.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 55 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Visit of Chinese Experts to Identify Proper Location to Construct Greenhouses Free from Fossil Fuel Dr. Jao Changji visited identified locations to construct greenhouses on September 7, 2015 and collected rel- evant information in order to identify the proper loca- tion for construction of a greenhouse. 18 experts of the Technical Committee from Directorate General of Natu- ral Resources, Agricultural Research Center, Provincial Agricultural Jihad Organization and national and pro- vincial experts of the project accompanied him in this visit. He then visited a model greenhouse in Kerman- shah and in the afternoon attended the meeting of the Technical Committee in the meeting hall of Agricultural Jihad in Kermanshah province and in that meeting it was decided for charts provided by Mr. Jao to be completed by the participants and experts and submitted to him.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 54 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Village Governors of Counties in Kermanshah Province Visited Operations of MENARID Project in Razin Site

Considering that MENARID project is replicated in 14 counties as per the order of Ker- manshah Province Governor, sharing and transfer of achievements and experiences of the project to other rural areas are measures undertaken by the project at provincial level. As per the coordination made with Rural Development Department of the Governor’s Office from experiences and practices of MENARID project in Razin site, visit oppor- tunity was provided for village governors of 14 counties from July 23, 2015 for three months. In summer 2015, 210 village governors of the whole province visited operations of MENARID project in Razin site including advocacy-livelihood farm. Village gov- ernors of Miyandarband and Central and Bilvar districts of Kermanshah County, Salas Babajani, Central districts of Sahneh County and central district of Kangavar County, Central District of Paveh County, Kalashi district of Javanroud County and Songhor Koliyayi and Hersin Counties visited MENAIRD operation sites in Razin watershed.

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Seyed Ali Vesali MENARID Provincial Expert Yazd

Deputies to the Governors of Visited MENARID Project in Yazd

In light of replication of MENARID ranged on the occasion of the second Vahdat Abad and Kamkuyeh Rural project to other cities in Yazd prov- meeting of deputies to the Governors Development Planning Office and ince and a visit from Hablehrud Pro- of Yazd province, hosted by Bahabad in general the activities visited were: ject in Tehran and Semnan provinc- County and attended by the General marjoram cultivation, watershed es, on September 9, 2015 deputies Director of Information Technology park, anthropology museum, caper to the Governors of Yazd province of the Governor’s Office and Gov- cultivation, transformation of domes- visited sites of MENARID project ernor of Bahabad in the camp site tic baths in the village, water transfer in Yazd province. of Sadegh Abad Village Martyr Stu- project and mechanism of rural de- In this one-day visit which was ar- dents’ Camp and a visit was paid to velopment and planning office.

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Visit of Chinese Expert from MENARID’s Sites in Yazd

In order to identify the location to in Yazd province, Mr. Jo, the Chinese Meteorology Study Center was construct Chinese model greenhouse, expert defined methods of design and appointed in charge of completion finalizing the plan and launch of the construction of the greenhouse. Then of meteorology form and climate operations, the expert in charge from representatives of all organizations parameters. China and a group of experts from Ag- present in the meeting were requested Engineering Study Center was ap- ricultural Jihad, Agricultural Engineer- to share their comments and relevant pointed to collect data on the struc- ing Organization, Natural Resources, organizations were notified of their ture. MENARID project, meteorology, responsibilities. The information and Agricultural Jihad of Bahabad Agricultural and Natural Resources’ data requested by the Chinese expert County was commissioned to scale Research Center and regional Power were gathered by the provincial of- the parameters of soil and quality Organization which had formerly ex- fice and delivered. and water quantity as required by pressed their interest to collaboration The meeting had decisions made of the Chinese model greenhouse in in construction of said greenhouse which the following are the most Kamkuyeh. visited the area and eventually recom- important approvals: Agriculture and Natural Resourc- mended site in Kamkuyeh village was MENARID office in Yazd is re- es’ Study Center in Yazd province approved for construction. sponsible to provide a map in 1:2000 was appointed to undertake all affairs Also, in a meeting held on the concept scale of the water canal in the select- pertinent to design and construction in the premises of Agricultural Jihad ed area in Kamkuyeh village. of Chinese model greenhouse.

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Implementation of National Monitoring & Model Agriculture Evaluation Experts’ Team Visited in MENARID’s Sites in Yazd MENARID Project in Yazd

The project is being implemented in collaboration with On August 3 and 4, 2015 the experts of Monitoring Agricultural Jihad and Agriculture and Natural Resourc- and Evaluation Team of MENARID visited the pro- es’ Research Center of Yazd province through Ehyagaran vincial office of the project and had a meeting with Company in three villages of Kamkuyeh, Vahdat Abad and the provincial team in Yazd and visited Kamkuyeh and Asfij. Two coordination workshops have been arranged so Vahdat Abad villages and the activities undertaken in far in the premises of Agriculture and Natural Resources’ these sites. As coordinated, monitoring and evalua- Research Center and Molasadra Training Center (Inte- tion team of the project visited the library and Cultural grate Drought Risk Management Center). Also, following Development Center in Vahdat Abad village and in- implementation of the project, a focal point in Agricul- terviewed the individuals in charge of the library and tural Jihad is identified, multiple workshops have been Rural Development Fund. Also, essence production conducted in target villages of the project and meetings workshop, seedling cultivations, Kuhsaran watershed have been arranged with local community committees park were visited. and basic data is collected, reports on climate, agriculture, Also M7E team of the project travelled to Kamkuyeh economy and social aspects are drafted, meeting is con- village and visited Rural Development & Planning Of- ducted with the Director of Agricultural Jihad in Bahabad fice and observed the mechanism of the fund and also County and eventually the plan was presented in the Re- other operational projects such as construction of wa- gional management Committee of Bahabad County. ter reservoir pools, marjoram cultivation, etc.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 50 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Authorities of Renewable Energy Organization of Iran visited MENAIRD project in transforming solar baths in Bahabad County Following successful implementation of transform- ing solar baths to solar domestic water heaters and a visit which was arranged to review the potential of replication of transforming solar baths to solar domestic water heaters based on MENARID’s ex- perience in Yazd, a series of sessions were held to replicated this activity for 30 public solar baths all over the province attended by MENARID project. The sessions were hosted by Department of Coor- dination of Economic Affairs and Regional Power Organization at provincial level.

Approval of Bahabad Watershed Strategic Document Through follow ups made in collaboration with different relevant organizations approved Bahabad provincial office of MENARID in Yazd, the Gover- Watershed Strategic Document after modifications nor’s Office of Yazd, General Directorate of Natu- as requested by the Governor were made to the doc- ral Resources of Yazd, Management & Planning ument on September 26, 2015. Organization of Yazd and a group of experts from

Summer 2015 - No. 10 49 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Governors & Experts of Management & Planning Organization of Yazd Visited Hablehrud Project

In light of replication of MENARID project to other cities visit, the delegation from Yazd visited the activities in in Yazd province and following the visit from Hablehrud Barg Riz Alborz Cooperative of Lezor village, water res- project, a group of Governors of Mehriz, Ashkezar, Taft, ervoir preservation project in Aro village, range manage- provinces and deputy to the governors of Mey- ment project in Tarud village and modified model agricul- bod and Yazd cities along with Director General of Rural ture in Garmsar plain. Also the visitors participated in the Affairs of Yazd province and General Director of Natural meeting of Monitoring and Evaluation Committee of the Resources along with experts of Management and Plan- project held in the premises of Semnan Governor’s IOf- ning Organization visited Hablehrud project in Tehran fice, meeting of Regional Management Committee and a and Semnan province 29-30 July, 2015. In this two-day meeting with the local community of Farvan village.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 48 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Implementation and supervision on arboriculture in collaboration with the local community in watershed part of Vahdat Abad in Bahabad using the technology of arboriculture in dry areas The objective of this project implemented in collaboration with the local community following a training workshop and using the technology of arboriculture in dry areas in Vahdat Abad watershed park was to maxi- mize reserve of water existing in the nature through set up of catchments and minimiz- ing evaporation from soil and deep reserve of humidity using pebble filters next to the seedlings and selection of plants resilient to the climate of the region including jujube, barberry, oleander, and berry. The project was implemented in the form of arboriculture and installation of pebble filters next to cultivated seedling upon dig- ging a crescent pond in almost 2 hectares of upstream slope lands of the village through leadership and coordination and participation of the rural community. This measure, along with advocacy and training on top of the edge methods of dry farming arboriculture which is the result of studies conducted by researchers of Agriculture and Natural Re- sources’ Research and Training Center of the province in Vahdat Abad village of Bahabad County. It is worth mentioning that irrigation system applied is drip irrigation which was implemented in collaboration with the local community through this project.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 47 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Integrated Watershed Management and Result Based Management Training Workshop Held in Yazd

Integrated watershed management and re- sult based management training workshop was held on August 31, 2015 in the meet- ing hall of Directorate General of Natural Resources and Watershed of Yazd province attended by experts of various organizations and bodies of the province taught by Dr. Jazi and Ms. Karimi Pour. RBM is a management strategy through which all stakeholders, who have partici- pated directly or indirectly in achieving a set of results, ensure effectiveness of their processes, products and services in achiev- ing provisioned results (outcomes, achieve- ment and higher objectives and effects). These stakeholders, considering their ac- cess to information and evidence based on actual results inform the decision makers in design, efficiency and performance of pro- jects and activities and also accountability and reporting. At the end of the workshop, participants formed groups to exercise result based man- agement in a participatory approach.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 46 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

Consultative- training workshop on Environmental & Natural Resources’ Journalism

Involvement of NGOs in MENARID Project in Yazd

Training Workshop on Saffron Cultivation Held in Bahabad County

Summer 2015 - No. 10 45 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

This training workshop was held with the aim of Natural Resources in Yazd province. share and transfer of knowledge on integrated man- In this workshop, concepts of MENARID objectives, agement of natural resources and training on develop- project performance report, role of media and public mental journalism taught by Dr. Sedigheh Babran on relations in management of natural resources and the September 4 attended by a group of journalists active environment and styles of reporting were discussed. in the field of natural resources and the environment and experts of provincial office of MENARID pro- ject in the meeting hall of the Directorate General and

During past three months, Imam Sadegh NGO, along attractions to children and institutionalize the culture with its facilitation role between the local commu- of natural resources’ preservation and reclamation. nities and organizations involved with MENARID Also a meeting was arranged with authorities and of- project, has taken measures to hold training courses ficers in charge of rural development and planning of- and workshops on natural resources and the environ- fices of MENARID’s pilot sites to address the issues ment and photography with the subject of the nature of funds, needs and demands of rural communities. for children and adolescents of MENARID’s pilot vil- lages in Yazd province in order to introduce natural

Second session of Saffron Cultivation training work- Also, after Q and A session in Rural Development shops was held in summer of 2015 in three villages and Planning Office of the said villages, trainer of the of Bonestan, Vahdat Abad and Kamkuyeh. In this workshop visited farmlands and noted technical as- workshop, suitable time and method of saffron bulb pects to the farmers. harvest, cultivation, irrigation, nutritional needs, best time of adding fertilizers were presented.

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Regional Management Committee Meeting of Bahabad County

Regional Management Committee Meet- Coordination between Imam Sadegh ing in Bahabad County was held missioned NGO and representative of veterinary for to make decision on animal breeding in the animal breeding as per the request of the region, operational procedures of Chinese rural population greenhouses, agricultural model, coopera- For the programs of Cultural & Training tion of cultural organizations of the county Committee of Bahabad Watershed to be un- to promote and advocate playhouse and chil- dertaken. dren’s library in villages of Vahdat Abad and On the selection of the best location to con- Karim Abad, managed catchments in Kuh- struct Chinese model greenhouses it was de- saran watershed park in Vahdat Abad in the cided: one land owner or an agricultural and premises of Bahabad Governor’s Office was natural resources’ cooperative, with the prior- established on August 15, 2015. The approv- ity to be given to unemployed youth or head als of the meeting are as follows: of households or those seeking jobs and land Selection of the representative of Agri- owners with sufficient water resources with cultural Jihad of Bahabad County in Model proper quality, within the pilots of MENAR- Agriculture. ID to be selected and introduced by Rural De- Provision of monthly reports of the ac- velopment Offices of Kamkuyeh, Bonestan, tivities of Model Agriculture team and sub- Vahdat Abad and Asfij villages and Agricul- mission to the secretariat of Regional Man- tural Jihad of the county to be reviewed by agement Committee set up in the Natural Regional management Committee and Resources’ Office. MENARID Project for final decision.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 43 News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

North Khorassan

Shirin Darreh Dam Watershed Selected as MENARID Project’s Pilot Site in North Khorassan Ahmad Yazdani | Provincial Senior Expert of MENARID

Following the visit of Mr. Khodakarm Jalali, Deputy to the MENARID Project’s pilot site in North Khorassan prov- Minister and General Director of FRWO, Mr. Gary Lew- ince. MENARID Project’s site in North Khorassan, Shirin is, UN Resident Coordinator in Iran and Peyman Sa’adat, Darreh Dam Watershed covers an area of 160,000 hec- Director of the Department of the Environment and Sus- tares with a population of 20,000 and 61 villages and set- tainable Development of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in tlements around Bojnourd, Shirvan, Maneh, Samalaghan, January 2015, Shirin Darreh Watershed was selected as Raz and Jargalan counties. Land use in the area includes

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20% agriculture and 77% natural resources (forests and ranges). The reserved water in Shirin Darreh dam provides required water for farmlands and a significant proportion of water consumed in Bojnourd city (capital of North Kho- rassan province). Agriculture including dry farming, hor- ticulture and aquaculture and livestock (rangelands) are the main livelihoods of residents of this site. Severe land degradation, erosion, flooding and low index of human de- velopment and social welfare and imbalance in the area are the main reasons of this selection. It is hoped that presence of capacities such as diverse cli- mate, flora, ethnicity and cultural diversity, proximity to international borders, herbs and touristic attractions, we will succeed to establish balance in the area in light of community based strategic planning approach. Approval of MENARID Project in Planning and Development Council of North Khorassan Morteza Behzadfar | In light of the follow up and launch of the implementation Provincial MENARID Manager in North Khorassan of MENARID project in Shirin Darreh Dam Watershed in North Khorassan, led by Mr. Houshang Jazi, National Project Manager, in summer of 2015, MENARID was dis- cussed in the meeting of Planning and Development Coun- cil of the province. He stated that the main objective of this project is to reinforce and establish organizational cohesion in integrated natural resources management in collabora- tion with the public and local communities. He also defined that the planning, execution and monitoring processes of the project are bottom- up and with collaboration of the local communities in most development groups and stated that UNDP has provisioned USD 200,000 financial support for a term of 3 years. Then, Mr. Pour Isa, Head of Provin- cial Management and Planning Organization stressed the importance of support provided to projects such as ME-

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NARID where local community and public participation has a crucial role and is one of the key strategies in promot- ing the efficiency of development plans’ system. Also, Mr. Alinia, Deputy of Coordination of Provincial Development Affairs stated the efforts and endeavors of the Governor’s Office to establish coherence in three aspects of inter-sec- toral cooperation, public cooperation and public – execu- tive institutions cooperation. Launch of MENARID project in the province was approved in this meeting and based on the approval of the Planning and Development Coun- cil of the province IRR 15 billion credits was allocated to the project for six years (2015 – 2020) from the provincial budget. This project is in light of realizing the fundamental objectives of Land Use Strategic Document of the province and an opportunity to exercise organizational cohesion to realize the objectives of sustainable development and to promote human development index. MENARID Project’s Executive Team in North Khorassan Visited the Pilot Sites of the Project in Yazd and Semnan Morteza Behzadfar | Provincial MENARID Manager in North Khorassan Team members of MENARID in and officer in charge of follow up of fill the existing gaps in integrated North Khorassan visited the pilot MENARID project in North Kho- watershed management. sites of this project in Yazd in spring rassan province. This fact indicates In light of induction and raising of 94 with the aim of capacity build- the efforts of MENARID project in awareness in the executive team of ing, learning the procedures and op- North Khorassan province to involve MENARID in North Khorassan, erational methodology of the project. the stakeholders including the deci- a visit was arranged from the ac- The delegation included Advisor to sion makers and executive authori- tivities of this project in Behabad in the Governor, Director of Depart- ties of the province to realize the ob- Yazd province. The visited activities ment of Land Use, representatives of jectives of MENARID project. The include: marjoram cultivation farm the Governorates of Bojnourd, Shir- main objective of this project is to to introduce alternative cultivation, van and Raz and Jargalan counties create organizational coherence and library of Karim Abad village to

Summer 2015 - No. 10 40 خبرنامه؛ پروژه بي نالمللي مناريد News Letter; MENARID Int’l Project

train and build the capacity of children, teen- ment of Behabad Watershed. agers and their mothers with regards to natural The delegation, then, travelled to Semnan resources, loan procedures pursued through province and Hablehrud watershed to visit the group funds, training on cultivation model activities of Hablehrud project which is one of (saffron cultivation) and reform of water re- the best practices in sustainable management sources in Kamkouyeh village for effective of water resources and land management in management of water resources. collaboration with MENARID project. Wom- The delegation also participated in the meet- en’s Cooperative Company of Rameh and ing of Coordination Department of Economic livelihood opportunities created were some of Affairs and Regional Development in Yazd’s the activities visited. They also participated in Governor’s Office which covered the concept the workgroup and in the meeting of Women’s of Strategic Planning of Sustainable Develop- Development Group of Farvan Village.

Summer 2015 - No. 10 39 MENARID International Project Newsletter

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