Perceptions of the agents of the natural resources protection unit of Golestan province about management methods of conflict with local communities

Protection of natural resources is an important task that is the responsibility of the country's Natural Resources Protection Unit (NRPU). The purpose of NRPU is to protect natural resources more effectively due to the attacks on rangers and foresters by offenders, wood smugglers, and poachers. One of the problems regarding NRPU is how to manage conflicts with local communities relating protection of natural resources. Various strategies exist for resolving conflicts addressed in the present study. The study population consisted of official agents (180 people) and nonofficial agents (variable in number) of the NRPU in Golestan province that 264 of them were randomly investigated. The results showed that in the range of 1 to 5, the mean score of conflict between the agents of NRPU and local people is 3.10, which could be assessed as moderate to high. “Solution-oriented, "control", and "avoidance" methods have also been used to manage conflicts, respectively. Official agents as well as city dwellers, have increasingly used the "avoidance" method. With increasing of the level of education of the NRPU agents, the use of “control” method has increased, but older agents have used this method less. It is suggested that agents with lower levels of education and older age be used for minor violations and disputes that do not require harsh treatment with local people. In addition, it is recommended that individual and group communication skills training courses be provided for NRPU agents to improve the dialogue between natural resources conservation agents and the public.