Study of Environmental Potentials of Shahrestanak District in Relation to Planning

Shahrestanak, with an area of about 135.15 km2 is amongst the sub-basins of Karaj basin, located at the southern part of the central Alborz, 55 km northeast of Karaj city. Hydrological and geomorphologic studies and identification of potentials in the region can make the desirable and rational exploitation of natural potentials in developmental plans possible.
Since the beginning of the year 1993, the region was examined several times, and after initial acquaintances, specialist and local surveys in terms of physiography, geology, soil science, land potentials (mountainous land types), meteorology, hydrology, erosion, sedimentation and vegetation were carried out, as well as a brief overview of Chalous – Tehran Highway and the watershed management operations of the past and its outcomes. Proposals were raised for construction of “Bandarsars”, Fountain-Water storage in soil and traditional Reservoirs, plan of drinking water transfer from Shahrestanak to Tehran, protection and sanitation of springs, creation of recreational bases (with regard to construction of the Tehran - Chalous highway), and modification and change of the roads’ course because of the slip and break and the consequent dangers along the roads. There are views on how to prioritize the implementation of projects that vary according to the conditions and obstacles in the area, financial resources and administrative possibilities and constraints. Plans that are more comprehensive and more inclusive in terms of providing and increasing security and revenue are of greater priority. The inclusive quality of plans is suggested considering people’s participation in terms of building, maintaining and exploitation of the benefits of plans.