Private Protected Areas: A Model for Participatory Conservation and Sustainable Wildlife Development, Including a Case Study in Iran

Private Protected Areas (PPAs) represent a modern management model for conservation globally. These areas create a crucial balance between wildlife preservation and sustainable utilization, fostering both population growth and local community empowerment. This article explores the vital role of PPAs and examines a successful case study of participatory conservation within a hunting context in Iran.

Defining Private Protected Areas (PPAs)

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standards, Private Protected Areas are regions where management and protection are delegated to private entities or local communities, under the supervision of governmental environmental organizations. This model, rather than solely relying on government budgets, leverages private investment and public participation for the maintenance, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources.

The Pivotal Role of PPAs in Sustainable Development and the Hunting Industry

PPAs play a significant role in the sustainable development of the hunting industry by establishing an economic-environmental model. Revenue generated from regulated activities, such as sustainable trophy hunting in Iran (hunt in iran), is directly reinvested into conservation efforts. This cycle benefits both nature and local communities.

Value Creation in the Establishment of Private Protected Areas

1. Wildlife Conservation and Population Growth: Through rigorous control of illegal hunting and scientific management of species populations—particularly older male animals—PPAs significantly boost overall wildlife populations and maintain ecological balance. Surveys consistently show substantial population increases in these areas.

2. Sustainable Financial Provision for Conservation: Revenue from regulated hunting licenses (often issued to foreign hunters seeking a hunt in Iran) is directly allocated to conservation expenses. This ensures sustainable funding for ranger salaries, provision of water and fodder, and implementation of diverse conservation projects.

3. Tourism Attraction and Job Creation: Exclusive reserves attract foreign tourists interested in wildlife (including hunting in Iran, photography safaris, and nature viewing). These activities stimulate local economies by creating handicraft shops, restaurants, and ecotourism accommodations, generating new job opportunities as guides, conservation staff, and tourism service providers.

4. Local Community Participation: These projects prioritize the cooperation and economic benefit (job creation) of indigenous and local communities in the conservation process. This fosters a strong incentive for them to actively protect the region’s wildlife.

5. Reduction of Illegal Hunting: With dedicated conservation teams and private environmental rangers, PPAs effectively combat illegal hunting through precise and robust monitoring systems.

The Mansour Abad Doorbid Reserve: A Model of Participatory Conservation and Sustainable Wildlife Restoration in Iran

The Mansour Abad Doorbid Exclusive Reserve, located in Rafsanjan, Kerman Province, stands as one of Iran’s first and most successful examples of participatory conservation. This PPA has played a crucial role in wildlife conservation and sustainable development, successfully establishing an economic model that has significantly contributed to restoring animal species and boosting the regional economy.

Recognized as one of the pioneering hunting reserves in Iran, Mansour Abad Doorbid began its voluntary conservation activities in 2008, led by the Rafsanjan Nature Lovers Group. The area officially secured its exclusive rangeland permit in 2016. Spanning approximately 126,000 hectares, its core strength lies in its community-driven, participatory conservation approach. The reserve is managed by a public group of about 320 individuals, many of whom are local residents, including the environmental rangers. Notably, some of these individuals are former hunters who have now become fervent wildlife advocates.

Key Achievements of the Mansour Abad Doorbid Hunting Reserve

• Remarkable Wildlife Growth: The reserve has achieved a several-fold increase in species like Ibex, Wild Sheep, Rams, and Goats—rising from 100 to over 1,000 head—a testament to effective management.

• Support During Droughts: Rangers actively provide water and fodder at artificial watering holes, ensuring wildlife survival during Iran’s dry seasons.

• Conservation of Rare Species: The reserve has significantly aided the conservation and population increase of rare species such as the Hyena, Caracal, and Pallas’s Cat.

• Ecotourism and Local Economy: Revenue is generated through ecotourism development and attracting wildlife photography enthusiasts. Local eco-tourism accommodations, like the Qiye Raviz Eco-lodge, support the local economy.

• Sustainable Income from Hunting: The issuance of legal hunting permits in Iran (hunt in iran) for domestic and foreign individuals provides a sustainable income, benefiting the local community and securing the necessary budget for infrastructure maintenance and operational expenses.

• International Recognition: The Mansour Abad Doorbid hunting reserve recently received the prestigious Markhor Award from the International Council for Hunting and Wildlife Conservation (CIC). This award acknowledges successful community efforts in integrating conservation with the sustainable utilization of biodiversity, recognizing it as an internationally acclaimed “successful model of participatory conservation.”

Private Protected Areas Today: Challenges and New Approaches

Despite their numerous advantages, PPAs face challenges. The primary criticism often revolves around the aspect of hunting. Some environmental activists, opposing hunting without a full understanding of the system, mistakenly believe that this model, under the guise of sustainable development, promotes hunting and will ultimately deplete wildlife populations. Furthermore, insufficient oversight could potentially lead to over-exploitation and mismanagement.

However, experts widely believe that with strict laws and rigorous monitoring, the PPA model, especially with regulated hunt in Iran activities, can be an extremely effective solution. It creates a vital balance between economic interests and critical conservation goals. By entrusting the management and protection of natural areas to the private sector, PPAs foster a successful framework for the sustainable development of wildlife and local community economies. This approach, moving beyond sole governmental reliance, effectively utilizes investment and public participation to achieve both conservation and economic objectives for a thriving future.