Land use changes in natural resources and rural areas: Great threats for sustainable development in Iran

Abstract

Nowadays observe a huge amount in changing land use patternes in natural resources and rural areas toward establishing vacation homes (second houses), touristy resturans and hotels, recrational centers etc. in them that caused destroying these unique valuable lands and great threats for sustainable development in Iran. In most places of Iran the acreage of productive lands is limited and balancing food security and economic development are two important and critical goals for policy makers and governmental authorities. the global consensus had shifted towards the view that environmental conservation was not in conflict with development. Today, natural resources are exposed to increasingly numerous interests and demands, which sometimes generate conflicts. we must protect nature not only for us but for the whole planet. If it is questionable to say that communities are really only practical to protect the environment, there is no doubt they are the main victims of environmental degradation. Sustainable development and successful management of the natural resources and rural areas lands would not be achieved unless demands of rural communities are addressed. For doing this study utilized qualitative approach with its tools for gathering information such as participatory observation, discussions, maps, documents and pictures. Main locations of study were four provinces that changing land use patternes in natural resources and rural areas toward establishing vacation homes touristy resturans and hotels, recrational centers etc. in them are relatively more stronger and visible in Iran, namely Tehran, Golestan, Isfahan and south Khorasan provinces. In this article discussing various aspects that caused of changing land use patternes in natural resources and rural areas in Iran. In the end present final and exigency acquired model on  the ways of confronting to these land use changes for accessing to sustainable development (SD) goals and criteria in Iran.

Keywords

• Land use change,Natural resources,Rural areas,Vacation homes,Sustainable development,Iran

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