Evaluation of the Strategic Factors of the Management of Protected Areas Using SWOT Analysis—Case Study: Bashgol Protected Area-Qazvin Province

Abstract

The majority of Iranian protected areas are being affected by human activities. Such areas demand continuous monitoring into account due to quality loss problem. This study identifies the weaknesses and strengths as well as opportunities and threats of Bashgol protected area and analyzes them using SWOT matrix in order to provide an efficient managerial strategy. Following the identification of factors, experts’ opinion was collected using questionnaire. Then, the factors were scored based on IFE (Internal Factors Evaluation) and EFE (External Factors Evaluation) tables and were weighted using AHP and EXPERT CHOICE. Totally, 16 strengths and opportunities were determined as the advantages of this area and 22 weaknesses and threats were identified as the limitations and straits. The final scores of IFE and EFE were 2.468 and 2.261, respectively and both are below 2.5 indicating that the area is in defensive state. According to quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM), “attracting required credits for the completely implementation of the comprehensive management plan of the area” was determined as the most important strategy (score = 6.365).