The economic, social, and ecological impacts of wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) oleo-gum resin extraction cooperatives in Zagros forests, Ilam province, Iran

Abstract

One of the most economically important non-wood forest products (NWFPs) of Zagros forests in the west of Iran is an oleo-gum resin called ‘Saqez’, extracted from wild pistachio trees (Pistacia atlantica Desf.). Cooperatives were created about 20 years ago to organize Saqez exploitation by local communities and to decrease the related ecological threats on the Zagros forests. The aim of this research was to evaluate the economic, social, and ecological impacts of Saqez extraction cooperatives in Ilam province. Thirteen active cooperatives in the county of Malekshahi were selected for data collection and to conduct interviews with 72 randomly selected members. Our results show that none of the Saqez cooperatives in the studied areas could reach their intended purposes, that is, the enhancement of local livelihood and the sustainable management of the forest in general and of the pistachio trees in particular. Major causes for this failure were: cooperative members did not directly participate in the Saqez extraction activities, most members received no benefit from their cooperatives, most extractors used unsustainable tapping methods, and cooperatives did not control tapping. Our results thus show that continuing Saqez exploitation based on the current practices could cause irreparable damages to pistachio trees and the Zagros forests, without any benefit for local livelihoods.