Analytic comparison between executed and predicted watershed management practices in Mokhtaran watershed, Southern Khorasan

Today, the assessment of water management projects is one of the most fundamental issues that are being addressed in countries in order to implement future plans and manage natural resources. In this study, in order to evaluate the watershed management operation, the executed and predicted watershed management operations in Mokhtaran watershed were compared according to the year and type of implementation. According to the foreseen activities for all sub-basins, during the years 2007 to 2011, the biological operations were only implemented for the sub-basins M21 and M22 regardless of their prioritization. Furthermore, during the years 2007 to 2011, mechanical operations were only executed in the sub-basins M21, M22 and M41 which were in conflict with the type of previously foreseen structures for the sub-basins. Results showed that in the comprehensive studies there is not a special attention to the socio-economic considerations of available constraints within the studied basin. The shortage of developmental budgets has also been another main factor behind the lack of agreement between implemented and anticipated watershed management operations. During the last 6 years, the amount of developmental budgets has been closed to zero. The low population density of the Mokhtaran basin was another reason for not implementing the planned watershed management activities. Therefore, in order to reduce the inconsistency and difference between the projected and implemented activities in the watershed, the following measures should be considered: 1- Given that it is not possible to accomplish tasks due to shortages of manpower and resources at the same time in all sub-basins, the prioritization of sub-basins should be specified in the early stages. 2- In order to prioritize sub-watersheds, the use of precise and mathematical prioritization methods such as fuzzy-topsis is recommended. 3- The need for a comprehensive approach for prioritizing and selecting the type of watershed operation is indispensable to reduce the degree of contradiction between the activities planned and the implementation of the activities. 4- Due to the lack of development budgets and low population density in the area, comprehensive management of watersheds should include the study and recognition of all technical, economic and social aspects of the area in order to prevent the waste of watershed resources and achieve the watershed management objectives.