Analysis of the relationship between economic poverty and degradation of natural resources

Rural poverty and its impact on degradation of natural resources is one of the major challenges for sustainable development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between rural poverty and degradation of natural resources in rural communities of Kurdistan Province. The statistical population consisted of 2726 rural households. Based on Cochran formula and adapting to Krejcie and Morgan table, 336 households were selected as the statistical sample. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire that its validity is approved by the experts' opinion and reliability of it is obtained 0.78 by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Rural residents' viewpoints in relation to degradation of natural resources were investigated in three sections: factors related to livestock and animal husbandry, cutting and harvesting and land use change. Relative poverty line was used to separate the poor and the non-poor and 66% of total monthly household expenditure was used to calculate it. Data were analyzed using chi-square and paired t-tests. Per capita relative poverty line in the study area was estimated 2465460 Rials in 1398, that 33.9% of studied rural residents were poor. There was a significant relationship between variables such as age, educational level, occupation, household dimension and income with poverty of rural residents. The average rate of destruction of natural resources by poor respondents was significantly higher than non-poor respondents. Therefore, in order to reduce degradation in the study area, it seems necessary to improve the economic condition of residents.