Abstract:

Geomorphological phenomena of erosion can intensify in various forms depending on natural environmental conditions such as climatic elements, soil type, vegetation cover density, and human activities. One such phenomenon is gully erosion, which is significantly influenced by both natural and human factors. Notable areas for the formation and expansion of this phenomenon include parts of Chabahar, Dashtyari, and Qasr-e Qand in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The target area in this study is the Awraki region in the northeastern part of Chabahar, where gully development has rapidly increased over the past 30 years, causing various damages to both natural and human resources. The peak of this expansion occurred during the flood in January 2020. Considering the historical background of the formation and spread of this phenomenon in the region, the local population has long employed traditional methods inspired by their indigenous knowledge to control and mitigate this phenomenon, aiming to prevent or reduce damage to their agricultural lands and settlements for the sustainability of their livelihoods. This article extracts local methods of gully control using field survey methods and qualitative focus group discussions (FGD). The results of this study indicate that, given the relative poverty in the region and educational limitations, indigenous and traditional knowledge has played a significant and essential role in controlling gullies. The most important methods identified include the construction of ditches and bunds and not cultivating agricultural lands to prevent water from entering the gully formation areas.