The Investigation of Legal, Social, and Economic Feasibility of Payment for Water Services in Golestan Province

Water ecosystem service, as a natural resource for direct and indirect consumption, and a limited and scarce production source is of great interest among all types of ecosystem services. Based on Iran’s situation and taking into account the characteristics of the Golestan province and Chehel Chai watershed, as well as the increasing use of payment mechanisms in exchange for ecosystem services worldwide, highlights the necessity of using an efficient management tool for ecosystem financial values. The present study seeks to examine legal, social, and economic challenges of enforcing payment for water services. Furthermore, practical solutions aimed at localising the payment mechanism for water in sustainable development and conservation of natural resources are proposed. Therefore, primarily, the characteristics of the study area and the payment mechanism for water service in Chehel Chai watershed were introduced. Its implementation framework and the challenges facing the implementation of the mechanism were also identified. Finally, based on the applied studies in different parts of the world and according to the economic, social, political, and legal status of the study area, practical solutions for the implementation of payment for water ecosystem services are provided.