The Spatial Consequences of Settling Iranian Nomads in Chaharmahal-and-Bakhtiari Province

Despite its economic and ecological sustainability nomadic animal husbandry has declined in Iran and many parts of the world under the pressure of modernization. Spontaneous and supported settlement of nomads by state has been intensified. The present study examined the spatial consequences of settling nomads in Sharmak, Chelgard and Loshtor towns in Chaharmahal-and-Bakhtiari province. The study results indicated that the settlement of nomads at seasonal stopping places has increased the danger of natural events. Despite relative improvements in their access to services, many of their expectations have not been provided for and there are significant differences between their stopping places. Considerable decline in livestock as the main source of subsistence has led to a decline in income and increase in unemployment and its reflection is their continuous movement, seasonal migration and tendency to permanent migration. Considering the inability of mentioned towns in maintaining the population the mechanism to resolve this is to consider an endogenous and sustainable development of the area and diversification of income sources in the form of capacity building of local potentials and empowerment of settled nomads.