Evaluating the Situation of Environmental Culture's Reproduction in Rural Areas (Case Study: A Pilot of Carbon Sequestration Project in Jazmourian)

INTRODUCTIONImplementation of carbon sequestration projects (CSPs) in rural areas is one of the international measures of achieving a sustainable environment, with a regional cooperative and logistical approach, and recently is being implemented in rural areas in Iran, including Jazmourian in southern Kerman. After two years of implementation of the project, the present study aims to investigate the role of CSP in changing the environmental culture and correcting practical behavior of the rural beneficiaries in Jazmourian. The research questions are as follows: what are the manifestations of changes in and reproduction of rural beneficiary's environmental culture, pursuant implementation of CSP in Jazmourian? And whether the changes in villagers’ behavior and practice regarding exploitation of the environment in areas where CSP is being implemented, is the same.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORKReproduction means regeneration and recreation of beings and places that are endangered and face extinction. Renovation and reconstruction approaches lack the required attention to environmental values while reproduction is a comprehensive approach with a monolithic, strategic outlook for sustainable development. Reproduction is a unified attitude and a measure which results in the solution of the problems and seeks a sustainable situation in terms of environment, economy, society and the physical aspect of the region.
Major views and approaches related to the present study are those of culture building approach, theoretical model of adjusted behavior, and human ecology, all of which are subsumed under the category of sustainable development (the new environmental paradigm). According to the paradigm, cultural capacity building is in fact fostering several beliefs in human beings: Belief in innovation
 Belief in science (scientism)
 Belief in future
 Belief in humans’ ability in solving varied problems (self-confidence)
 Belief in and respect for the environment (environmentalism)
Contrary to the discourse of classical environmental theories, the new ecological paradigm is prevalent today.
According to “theoretical model of adjusted behavior”, beneficiaries’ behavior is influenced by their values and attitudes and an environmentally-friendly behavior will not be displayed, unless beneficiaries change their norms and values. Those with views adhering to the human ecological school believe that beneficiaries should adapt and conform to their habitat.
METHODOLOGYThe present study is a descriptive-analytical one and the data were gathered through library and field methods, using a questionnaire and observation. Research population consists of the 8 villages were CSP pilot is being implemented in Jazmourian, (68 of the development team leaders who are also members of CSP) were enumerated completely and make up the sample population, for only team leaders, as village residents and CSP members, have the necessary knowledge and eligibility for the purpose of data gathering. The measurement used in the study was a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity was established by academic experts and a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.868 confirmed its reliability. The data was analyzed using weight propagation (WP).
DISCUSSIONAs for the first hypothesis, the findings of the WP model indicate that members of the development teams in Ziarat Mirmeghdad and Heydarabad villages had the lowest rate of reproduction and those of Boohang, Grouchan, and Chahdasht had the highest rates of reproduction of environmental culture. The findings of Fisher's ANOVA test show that there is a statistically significant (sig=0.000) difference among the eight villages under study, in terms of reproduction environmental culture. As for the second hypothesis, the findings reveal that , except for the two villages of Ziarat Mirmeghdad and Heydarabad, implementation of CSP in Jazmourian district has improved the degree of reproduction of environmental culture, whose manifestations can be seen in the raised awareness of people regarding the environment and its resources, implementation of seedling production projects, seedling planting, creation of biological windbreaks, reduction of the pressure on pastures, and creation of technical and artistic jobs, etc.
ConclusionThe present study aims to investigate the degree of reproduction of environmental culture in the rural areas of the CSP pilot study in Jazmourian. A review of previous studies and theories leading to the present research revealed that nowadays, capacity building and cultural reproduction are major needs in rural communities in their quest to achieve sustainability. Improving environmental performance of villagers and reproduction of rural culture necessitates creation and implementation of comprehensive plans which, in an orderly process, address such issues as sensitization, orientation, mobilization of masses, institutionalization, along with empowering locals and winning their trust and cooperation.
The best approach to improve the environmental culture of Jazmourian villagers is to emphasize a knowledge-based approach and the best strategy for the villagers of the region is that of industrialization (small, workshop-based, artistic industries and jobs that are not dependent on water) together with the strategy of expansion of environmental measures with the help of villagers, both of which can be proper substitutes of conventional agricultural methods.
The value of the findings of the study lies in their ability to detect and assess the effects of collaborative programs in improving villagers’ degree of environmental reproduction, manifest in three ideological, behavioral and practical aspects.
Considering the weakness and vulnerability of the region's environmental system, along with deficiencies in the villagers’ environmental culture and the opportunities presented by CSP to rectify the situation, following practical suggestions are made: Offering hands-on courses to introduce the environment and the capacity of its resources, along with effective exploitation methods and protection of environmental resources.
 Offering orientation classes to remove the remaining livestock from Jazmourian pastures and developing man-made grasslands for them.
 Encouraging and introducing top stockbreeders, in terms of reducing the dependence of livestock to the pasture, and supporting industrial animal husbandries which are highly efficient.
 Continuing and developing environmental projects in villages, to the best of ability, specifically implementation of windbreakers around farms, home gardens and extending verdant courtyards in homes, creating and protecting rural parks in collaboration with the rural municipality, people and the office of natural resources.
 Continuing technical courses and supporting the newly created jobs for men and women
 Creating model farms which are environmentally friendly, together with encouraging and introducing top farmers in terms of their protective performance of water and soil resources.
 And etc.