Ecosystem Approach to the Integrated Management of Helleh Wetland

Wetlands are one of the most valuable ecosystems, playing an important role to provide a sustainable environment for communities. So providing a plan for conservation of wetlands, their water resources and supporting food stuffs in such areas is crucial.

Across developed countries the income from tourism attraction in wetlands is estimated to be almost $925bn per year, demonstrating the importance of wetlands to planners and decision makers. In that light, Iran is committed to the Ramsar Convention which is the oldest international treaty for natural resources conservation, signed in 1971.

Helleh-Wetland is an important natural resource in Iran, located in Bousher Province. It consists of aqua, lands and tidal areas. Spanning  46,783 hectares, its is well recognised for tourism attraction and biodiversity that makes it an enriched ecosystem protected by government funding.

The sustainable development plan for integrated management of Helleh Wetland aims to reduce threats and establishing permanent livelihood in the study area. The main water source feeding the wetland is Helleh River and it has formed by connection of the Shapour and Dalaki Rivers. Construction of Ali-Delvari Dam at upstream of the wetland in 2008 has also had a significant impact on discharge of the river, causing pollution in the wetland.

Faced with periodic droughts and increasing local population with decreasing of job opportunities that caused a migration of younger people, farmers have often replaced their lands without legal permission, representing a further risk and making clear why employment had to be incorporated into the plan.

Whilst previous experts proposed dredging of sediments as a practical solution, the project team believed that to provide sustainable development plan, the environmental right of the wetland should be judged by determination of water resources at upstream of the wetland. Not only did they identify excess water withdrawal in the area and weak points of available water management system, but also took the benefits to the stakeholders into account and set a road map.