Laying the Foundation for Integrated Wetland Management in Iran

The first phase of the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) was implemented from 2005 to 2014. During this period, the project's primary focus was to establish the legal, institutional, and participatory foundations required for the sustainable management of Iran's wetlands. Through the development of comprehensive management plans, the creation of cross-sectoral governance structures, and the engagement of government agencies and local communities, the project introduced the ecosystem-based management approach and laid the groundwork for future wetland conservation and restoration efforts.

Development of Comprehensive Management Plans

One of the most significant achievements of this phase was the preparation and approval of comprehensive management plans for Lake Urmia, Parishan Wetland, and Shadegan Wetland. These plans were developed through a participatory process involving government institutions, technical experts, non-governmental organizations, and local communities. Approved at both provincial and national levels, they established, for the first time, a unified framework for integrated wetland management in Iran.

Establishing Governance Structures and Launching Implementation

To support the implementation of the management plans, cross-sectoral governance mechanisms were established at national, provincial, and local levels. Specialized working groups were formed to address key areas including water resources management, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, community participation, and environmental education. At the same time, implementation of priority actions began, including the allocation of environmental water requirements, drought management, promotion of sustainable agriculture, conservation of threatened species, wetland monitoring, and the development of environmental information and communication systems.

Capacity Building, Education, and Stakeholder Engagement

Raising public awareness and strengthening the capacity of stakeholders were among the central objectives of the first phase. Educational and outreach programs were implemented for students, teachers, technical experts, local communities, and other stakeholders. Through the production of educational materials, organization of festivals, technical field visits, public awareness campaigns, and the expansion of communication networks, the project encouraged broader public participation in wetland conservation.

Key Achievements

By the end of Phase I, the project had achieved several major milestones:

• Established the foundation for ecosystem-based wetland management through the development and approval of five comprehensive management plans for Lake Urmia, Parishan, and Shadegan wetlands.
• Created cross-sectoral governance structures at national, provincial, and local levels.
• Determined and officially approved the environmental water allocation for Lake Urmia, while initiating similar planning processes for other pilot wetlands.
• Implemented the first pilot initiatives on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, and wetland ecosystem monitoring.
• Established the legal, institutional, and participatory framework necessary for expanding wetland conservation efforts across the country.

Looking Ahead

Phase I marked the beginning of ecosystem-based wetland management in Iran. By establishing integrated governance systems, strengthening cross-sectoral cooperation, developing comprehensive management plans, and engaging stakeholders at all levels, the project created the essential foundations for the long-term conservation and restoration of Iran's wetlands and paved the way for the expansion of this approach in subsequent phases.