In the heart of Iran’s Mazandaran province, a critical infrastructure network is silently deteriorating, with significant implications for the energy sector and forest management. Forest roads, the lifelines of timber harvesting and forestry activities, have been suffering from neglect since the implementation of a logging ban five years ago. A recent study, led by Majid Lotfalian from the Department of Forest Sciences and Engineering at Sari University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, sheds light on the extent of this deterioration and its potential impacts.
Lotfalian and his team conducted an exhaustive survey of 333.6 kilometers of forest roads in Neka and Behshahr counties, documenting over 1,000 instances of damage. “The cessation of forest utilization and the prolonged lack of maintenance have led to significant deterioration in the condition of forest roads,” Lotfalian explains. The damages range from soil embankment failures and road slippage to blocked culverts and fallen trees, with secondary and tertiary roads bearing the brunt of the degradation.
The commercial impacts of this deterioration are substantial. Forest roads facilitate access to forest resources, not only for timber harvesting but also for other forestry activities like conservation, restoration, and even tourism. “Numerous forestry-related functions have been suspended due to the cessation of logging activities and inadequate funding,” Lotfalian notes. This disruption has resulted in a halt to the ongoing maintenance and repair of these roads, leading to considerable deterioration and, consequently, hindering access to these resources.
The study’s findings suggest that the most severe damage is concentrated on secondary roads in Neka and primary roads in Behshahr. This disparity underscores the need for targeted intervention and budget allocation for repair and upkeep. “The results of this study indicate that immediate action is necessary to restore and maintain forest roads in these areas to prevent further degradation and the loss of natural resource productivity,” Lotfalian emphasizes.
The research, published in the Journal of Watershed Management Research (پژوهشنامه مدیریت حوزه آبخیز), provides a comprehensive assessment of the current road conditions, offering forest managers reliable, statistically sound data to facilitate informed and evidence-based decision-making. It also highlights the importance of integrating road maintenance into forest management policies, not only to improve road conditions but also to facilitate the sustainable management of forest resources.
As the energy sector increasingly turns to biomass and other forest-derived resources, the condition of forest roads will play a pivotal role in the sector’s ability to access and transport these resources efficiently. This study serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for proactive maintenance and management of forest roads to support the sustainable development of the energy sector and forest management practices.
The findings of this research could shape future developments in the field by advocating for a more holistic approach to forest management, one that integrates road maintenance and infrastructure development. It also underscores the importance of continuous monitoring and assessment of forest roads to prevent deterioration and ensure their functionality. As Lotfalian concludes, “The implementation of rehabilitation programs and improvements to road infrastructure should be prioritized in forest management policies.” This proactive approach could not only improve road conditions but also facilitate the sustainable management of forest resources, ultimately supporting the energy sector’s transition towards more renewable and sustainable resources.