The strategic analysis of the CEPA program by combining SWOT-QSPM techniques in the Amirkalayeh Wetland for protection and sustainable uses

The purpose of this study is to identify the important internal and external factors in achieving sustainable use and conservation of the Amir Kalayeh Wetland based on communication, education, participation, and public awareness program (CEPA). The general vision is “the Amir Kalayeh wetland is a sustainable ecosystem that is wisely used and properly conserved by the trained stakeholders whom have been aware of the values and the threatening factors”. The SWOT model followed by the QSPM method has been implemented to analyze data and provide a conservation strategy approaching sustainable development in the Amirkalayeh Wetland according to the CEPA criteria. For this purpose, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Amirkalayeh wetland were determined by consulting 45 stakeholders. The internal factor evaluation (IFE) matrix with a score of 2.92 points out that the wetland had more strengths than the existing weaknesses while the external factor evaluation (EFE) with a score of 2.19 points out that there were more threats than opportunities. The results showed the sustainable participation of the wetland stakeholders (ST1) and the interaction between the organizations, executive bodies, and local communities (through the development of a wetland management program to prioritize awareness of the wetland's legal regime) (ST1) received the highest ranks.