The policy-making of the forests of northern Iran as a policy wicked problem; Strategic recommendations

Today, environmental issues are so widespread and complex that it is rare to find a country that is not involved. Accordingly, environmental problems have played a major role in the field of policy studies and have been considered as one of the malignant issues. These issues are resilient, complex, and repetitive. The main question of the present article is: What are the necessary principles for policy-making in the northern forests and its strategic implications? We are looking for the answer by applying the theory of Rittel and Weber's malignant issues and good forest management and using descriptive-analytical research methods and exploratory approaches. Policy issues arising from the interaction of the internal and external environment and based on public participation are on the agenda of forest policy. The strategic principles of such a policy for Iran must be a collaborative approach to malignant issues and a forest management approach (government, civil society, the private sector and local organizations).