Evaluation of the Stakeholders’ Attitude Towards Watershed Management Projects in Rimeleh Watershed

This study examined the attitude of watershed stakeholders to watershed management plans in the Rimleh watershed from the perspective of residents. Rimleh is one of the watersheds of the Kashkan river basin. All heads of rural households in the basin were selected as the statistical population. Practical indicators for measuring the attitude of users towards watershed management measures were prepared from related scientific articles and books. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were tested (Cronbach's alpha = 0.827). On the basis of the Cochran formula, 135 respondents were chosen in a stratified sampling scheme among the local communities of the watershed. The effects of watershed management measures on economic and social criteria were classified and evaluated using the Friedman test. Among the indicators of improving the economic income level of watershed residents, the index of converting low-yielding meadows into sloping land gardens (rank 16.44) had the highest score. Also, among the indicators of improving the level of knowledge and awareness and economic power of watershed households, the index of proper use of the capacity of other institutions had the highest score (7.9 mean rank). The results of this research can be used by managers and decision-makers to promote soil and water resources protection as well as to promote the adoption of management actions at the watershed scale.