Participation in Practice: Environmental Co-planning in the Seymareh River Basin

Abstract

This paper describes the condition, sources of pollution, potential actions and solutions for implementing participatory planning for the Seymareh River from the point of view of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local community leaders and government agents. The aim of this paper is to explore how environmental problems can provide an information key for planning and developing the management system for the Seymareh River basin. In this regard, the methodology for developing platform was participatory action plan development (PAPD) and involves a series of linked local workshops where different stakeholders participate separately and together to develop a management plan for the common resources they use. As the results show, enhancing public awareness of options for integrated river basin management and developing and strengthening at the local level, as appropriate, research and monitoring capabilities pertaining to the conservation of the Seymareh River basin are determined, especially in relation to environmental health parameters. The availability of finances, generation and availability of information and cooperation among stakeholders were all addressed as challenges to its implementation by participants for effective management (planning) in the Seymareh River basin.