An Investigation of the Factors Affecting Participation Executives in the Plan of Balancing Livestock with Grazing Capacity

Despite their high importance, the degradation of rangelands has accelerated over the years. The livestock in excess as compared to rangelands’ grazing capacity, along with the excess number of human exploiters are (among other factors) two main causes of ongoing severe degradation. The national plan of the Balance between Livestock Number and Grazing Capacity (BLGC) is aimed at mobilizing all elements involved in policy-making, planning, execution, supervision and evaluation and is intended to eliminate the above-mentioned destructive factors. The executives of the plan along with exploiters constitute the core of the plan. Knowledge of these individuals’ participation in the plan in the recent years would pave the way for the participation of others. Having this in mind, the present research was carried out in 2001. One hundred and nineteen individuals from among the executive officials participated in the plan from 15 provinces of the state constituted the study population. There is a significantly positive correlation observed between characteristics of the Plan for Balancing Livestock with Grazing Capacity (its feasibility and ability to meet expectations) and educational programs (symbolic events, video-films, radio and television programs & extension publications). Multivariate regression results indicated that the variable "realization of expectations" puts the most effect on the extent of participation of individuals in the plan. From among the variables categorized under "individual characteristics" title, the level of education plays the most important role in encouraging individuals to be involved in the plan, and from among the variables “related to educational and xtensional methods” the variables of symbolic events and meetings with natural resources experts has the strongest effect on the participants’ share in the realization of the objectives of the Balancing Livestock with Grazing Capacity Plan.