Overall objective / activities to be implemented under the grant:
In an area of 2300 hectares, Arzhan Wetland is located on the northern part of the Arzhan-Parishan biosphere, 60 kilometers from Shiraz. Due to its geological characteristics, the wetland has always been known as a seasonal wetland throughout history, semi-arid for about 4 to 5 months every year. However, over the last decade, due to the destruction of the drainage basin by reasons including unauthorized change in land-use from agricultural to residential villas, forest destruction for conversion to charcoal, frequent fire in the drainage basin, excessive grazing of light and heavy livestock in the whole area of the drainage basin, only an area about 20 hectares down the main spring (Shah Salman Spring) has permanent water and the rest of the wetland is dry during all seasons.
This project aims to empower the local community and laying the institutional foundation for the establishment of a participatory biome management approach to Arzhan basin, define and promote bird-watching as a professional occupation for local livelihood, brand the importance of the birds existing in the region, attract public and specialized attention to Parishan Wetland, in order to slow down and ultimately stop the destruction of the wetland.
The project objectives are, establishment of the first professional, specialized, and organized environmental NGO in Arjan Wetland basin, raising public awareness and participation of Arzhan local in protecting the biome, valuing migratory and indigenous birds of Arzhan region, increasing sensitivity concerning the risks caused by the drying of Parishan Wetland, paving the ground for developing a comprehensive ecological management plan for the drainage basin of Arzhan Wetland and raising local and trans-local awareness concerning the risks caused by the drying of Parishan Wetland.