The Role of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations in Citizens Participation f or Environmental Conservation in Iran

This research focuses on the role of the environmental nongovernmental organizations in Iran and also the evaluation of their performance in achieving public participation to protect environment. Findings of this research. reveal that so far these organizations have lacked the ability to prepare the context for people involvement in environmental conservation, which is due to several major constraints. Political, legal, and judiciary factors have been the major obstacles against the establishment and smooth activities of these organizations. A few organizations which have overcome the difficulties and began their activities, have not been able to make significant impact on protecting the environment. Lack of experience, both in organization and people, were another factor in limiting the success of these organizations in Iran. To be successful, the environmental non-governmental organizations in Iran, require proper political, legal, social and economic settings, as well as the knowledge and skill of running these kind of organizations