Investigating the effects of carbon sequestration project on livability of rural settlement

The carbon sequestration project has sought to increase the empowerment and livelihoods of indigenous peoples with the goal of mobilizing people and involving local communities in the conservation, restoration and exploitation of the principles of natural resources. Therefore, rural livelihood index is one of the most important and important factors used in measuring and evaluating the living conditions of rural communities. The present study, while identifying the components of rural livelihoods, seeks to investigate the effects of carbon sequestration on the livelihoods of local communities in the Til Abad watershed of Golestan province. This is a descriptive-survey study that the statistical population is 2097 households of 6 target carbon sequestration villages in the study area, 317 of which were selected using Morgan table as sample size. Questionnaire was the main research measurement tool whose validity was confirmed by experts' opinions and its reliability was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha. According to the results, the livability of local communities and its dimensions (employment and income, infrastructure facilities and services, participation, solidarity, trust, education and skills, attachment and location) at both the time before and after project implementation. Carbon sequestration was significantly different at 99% confidence level. Therefore, based on the results of the research, by developing appropriate planning and supportive policies for local communities, efforts can be made to increase the livability of rural communities in order to take an effective step towards rural development.