Environmental Management and the Protection of Agricultural Lands in Villages Exposed to the Expansion of Second Homes: The Necessity of Training Local Managers (Case Study: Shemiranat County)

Firoznia, Ghadir; Eftekhari, Abdolreza Rokendin; Pourjafar, Samira

doi:10.30473/ee.2024.66905.2605

Environmental Management and the Protection of Agricultural Lands in Villages Exposed to the Expansion of Second Homes: The Necessity of Training Local Managers (Case Study: Shemiranat County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Associate Professor. Department of Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Professor, Department of Geography, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

³ M.Sc. in Rural Geography, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.30473/ee.2024.66905.2605

Abstract

Several factors, including the expansion of second homes, lead to the conversion of agricultural lands into residential areas (second homes), resulting in the loss of land or a reduction in agricultural activities. Given the critical role of agriculture in ensuring food security, implementing environmental management in rural areas is essential for protecting agricultural lands and natural resources to enable their sustainable use. Therefore, environmental management training is considered one of the strategic priorities of many countries, and examining its impact on preventing the conversion of agricultural land into second homes is of high importance. The study area has also experienced significant land use changes over the past few decades due to favorable climatic conditions and scenic mountain views, which have contributed to the spread of second homes. This descriptive-analytical research investigates the role of environmental management training in the protection of agricultural lands in rural areas at risk of second-home expansion in Shemiranat County. Data were collected using three questionnaires administered to resident households, villa owners, and local managers. The findings indicate that although rural environmental management plays an effective role in preventing land use change in Shemiranat County, environmental management education has not received the attention it deserves. Consequently, from 1993 to 2015, there has been a growing trend in the construction of second homes, while agricultural lands, gardens, and pastures have been in decline. Specifically, the proportion of residential lands increased from 0.23% to 2.54%, while agricultural lands and gardens decreased from 8.54% to 7.44%. Thus, enhancing the performance of local managers in addressing land use changes necessitates targeted training in environmental management.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Environmental Education and Sustainable Development

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