Watershed Management

Watershed management is one of the core technical fields of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization. It provides an integrated framework for studying, monitoring and managing natural hazards and land degradation processes within watershed areas. In this approach, watersheds are not treated only as hydrological units, but also as ecological and geomorphological systems that require continuous assessment, stabilization and restoration.

One of the main areas of watershed-related work is the study of landslides. The Organization identifies landslide-prone areas, monitors active landslides, conducts stability analysis and implements landslide stabilization measures. These activities help reduce risks to natural landscapes, rural settlements, infrastructure, soil resources and watershed stability.

Gully erosion is another important focus of watershed management. The Organization identifies and prepares inventory maps of gully erosion across the country, monitors affected areas, conducts stabilization studies and implements measures for gully erosion control. These actions are essential for reducing soil loss, controlling sediment production, protecting land productivity and preventing further degradation of watershed areas.

Land subsidence is also addressed within the framework of integrated watershed management. The Organization defines and implements watershed management projects in areas affected by land subsidence. From this perspective, land subsidence is considered a serious land degradation and risk management issue that requires integrated studies, coordinated measures and watershed-based planning.

Looking ahead, the Organization emphasizes integrated studies for reducing landslide hazards, updating national gully erosion inventory maps, and studying and implementing measures to reduce land subsidence risks from the perspective of integrated watershed management. These priorities show the Organization’s focus on science-based planning, risk reduction, soil conservation and long-term watershed resilience.

Through identification, monitoring, technical studies, stabilization measures and integrated watershed management projects, the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization seeks to reduce natural hazards, protect soil resources, control erosion, improve watershed stability and support sustainable management of Iran’s natural landscapes for present and future generations.

Soil Conservation

Soil conservation is one of the fundamental pillars of sustainable natural resources management. Soil provides the basis for vegetation growth, rangeland productivity, forest restoration, watershed stability, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. In Iran’s arid and semi-arid conditions, protecting soil resources is essential for reducing land degradation, controlling erosion and maintaining the ecological functions of natural landscapes.

The Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization addresses soil conservation through watershed management, rangeland management, desertification control, vegetation restoration and land degradation reduction. These actions are closely linked to the prevention and control of different forms of soil erosion, including gully erosion, wind erosion, sediment production and soil loss in degraded watersheds and drylands.

Gully erosion is one of the important soil degradation processes addressed by the Organization. Activities include identifying and preparing inventory maps of gully erosion across the country, monitoring affected areas, conducting stabilization studies and implementing gully erosion control measures. These actions help reduce soil loss, control sediment production and prevent further degradation of watershed areas.

Wind erosion is another major threat to soil resources in Iran’s dry regions. About 29.5 million hectares of land are affected by wind erosion, and critical wind erosion hotspots cover about 13.9 million hectares. The Organization controls wind erosion through desertification control plans and measures such as seedling plantation, runoff management, sediment traps, living and non-living windbreaks, protection and enclosure, mulching where appropriate, seeding and management of planted forests.

Rangeland management also plays an important role in soil conservation. Through grazing management, regulation of pastoral migration, biological and biomechanical measures, rehabilitation of degraded rangelands, restoration of vegetation cover and development of forage, industrial and medicinal plants, the Organization seeks to protect soil, reduce degradation and maintain the productive and ecological functions of rangelands.

Soil conservation is also connected with the management of landslides and land subsidence. The Organization identifies and monitors landslides, conducts stability studies and implements stabilization measures. It also defines and implements watershed management projects in areas affected by land subsidence. These actions support land stability and reduce risks to watersheds, infrastructure, settlements and natural ecosystems.

Through scientific studies, field monitoring, erosion control, vegetation restoration, rangeland rehabilitation, desertification control and integrated watershed management, the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization seeks to protect Iran’s soil resources, reduce land degradation and preserve the productive capacity of natural landscapes for present and future generations.

Flood Control

Flood control is an important function of watershed management and soil and water conservation. In the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization, flood-related measures are addressed within the broader framework of integrated watershed management, land degradation control, erosion reduction and the stabilization of vulnerable watershed areas.

The Organization’s watershed management approach focuses on identifying, monitoring and stabilizing natural hazard processes that can increase runoff, sediment production and downstream risks. These include landslides, gully erosion and land subsidence. By studying and managing these processes, the Organization contributes to reducing watershed instability and lowering the risk of destructive flood impacts.

Landslide management is one of the technical fields linked to flood risk reduction. The Organization identifies landslide-prone areas, monitors active landslides, conducts stability analysis and implements landslide stabilization measures. These actions help protect watershed slopes, rural settlements, infrastructure, soil resources and natural landscapes from instability and related hazards.

Gully erosion control is another important part of flood-related watershed management. The Organization identifies and prepares inventory maps of gully erosion, monitors affected areas, conducts stabilization studies and implements gully erosion control measures. Controlling gully erosion helps reduce soil loss, sediment transport and the degradation of watershed systems that can intensify flood damage.

The Organization also defines and implements watershed management projects in areas affected by land subsidence. From the perspective of integrated watershed management, land subsidence is a serious risk that affects land stability, water resources, infrastructure and the long-term resilience of watershed systems.

Through integrated studies, field monitoring, stabilization measures, erosion control, soil conservation and watershed-based planning, the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization seeks to reduce flood-related risks, strengthen watershed resilience, protect soil and water resources and support sustainable management of Iran’s natural landscapes.