Assessing the Impacts of Natural Resources Management Projects on Rural Household's Social Capital in the Mahneshan Township

Assessing rangeland management projects can help policy makers and programme planners to understand their impacts from different environmental, social, human and economic aspects. The aim of this research is to assess rural beneficiarie's perspective regarding the impact of rangeland management projects on rural households’ livelihoods internal social capital. Using a survey methodology, it was asked the respondents to assess the indicators before and after the implementation of the projects. A randomized multi stage sampling technique was utilized to select a sample of 204 out of 1280 rural livestock holders in the Mahneshan Township of the Zanjan Province. Data were collected utilizing a structured interview technique and questionnaire. From the rural household's perspectives, these projects have had considerable impacts on increasing the relationships, participation and social norms for collective and group actions. They have also slightly been effective in terms of reducing emigration, increasing job opportunities and participation in decision-making. Nevertheless, these projects had no effect in establishing or strengthening rural community based institutions. Therefore, it is necessary that rangeland management projects pay more attention to strengthening and institutionalizing social actions and capitals in their planning programme.