Restoring Asiatic Cheetah Habitat through Indigenous Knowledge: From Runoff to Resilience in Surface Water Management

The Miandasht Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Iran is a critical stronghold for the critically endangered Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) and its primary prey, the Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa). Facing severe habitat degradation due to prolonged droughts and water scarcity, this project was launched in 2019 to restore ecosystem resilience through sustainable water management interventions rooted deeply in indigenous knowledge. Water scarcity has been the primary driver of habitat loss in Miandasht, forcing wildlife to disperse into unsafe areas and heightening conflict with local communities. Historically, managing water resources created tension between environmental authorities and local pastoralists. The project addresses these challenges by shifting from centralized management to a participatory model that leverages local expertise. The core of the initiative involves the construction and restoration of small-scale earth dams, known locally as "band," which have been used by herders for generations to capture seasonal runoff. By adapting this traditional technology, 20 earth dams were constructed or rehabilitated to harvest rainwater that would otherwise be lost as runoff. These structures recharge local aquifers. A network of storage pools and cisterns was established to collect water from these dams, and this stored water is manually distributed to artificial waterholes during the dry season, ensuring a reliable year-round water supply for wildlife. Local herders, initially viewed as competitors for resources, are now key partners who manage the dams and utilize excess stored water for their livestock, creating a mutual benefit that incentivizes long-term maintenance and reduces illegal grazing pressure on core wildlife zones. The project has delivered tangible ecological benefits. The Goitered Gazelle population has surged from fewer than 1,000 to approximately 5,000 individuals, directly supporting the cheetah's food base. Vegetation cover around the water structures has regenerated, providing new micro-habitats, and the restored wetlands now serve as wintering grounds for migratory birds such as flamingos and breeding sites for species like the Black-winged Stilt. With secure water access within the reserve, wildlife incursions into agricultural lands have significantly decreased, fostering local support for cheetah conservation. This successful model of integrating indigenous water management with modern conservation goals is now being replicated in the Turan Biosphere Reserve, another critical cheetah habitat. By transforming water from a source of conflict into a tool for collaboration, the project aligns with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), demonstrating how local wisdom can drive global conservation success.