Impacts of Natural Resource Projects on Socioeconomic Issues of Villagers at ChahNouroz Watershed

Natural resource projects are planned and implemented to improve environmental and social conditions of socio-ecological systems. The purpose of this study is to determine and identify effects of implementing natural resource projects on socioeconomic issues of rural, as well as to obtain relevant views and opinions of the villagers. The study area is villages of ChahNouroz Watershed in Qaleh_E_Ganj county of Kerman, Iran. The sample size was selected according to the number of households in the community, and based on Cochranchr('39')s formula. The households were systematic randomly surveyed by a questionnaire. According to the results, since economic aspects of the activities had been poorly evaluated, the needed efficiency and effectiveness of implementation of the projects in the region were not met, and they are unable to influence on employment and or on non-immigration of the villagers. Furthermore, rural satisfactions are not achieved while using rural resources for the projects, and in total, the majority are not satisfied with these projects and their achievements. In general, it should be noted that the implementation of these projects has had little effect on improving the socioeconomic status of the villagers. The findings of this research provide the basis for how policy-making can be adapted as well as quantity and quality of natural resource projects.