The Ideal Model of Government–Civil Society Interaction in the Protection of Wildlife: A Review of Domestic and International Documents

Abstract

The destruction of the environment and the extinction of animal species are among the major threats that, due to human intervention and economic and commercial activities, have become serious dangers to contemporary humanity. In Iranian society, this problem has been intensified by cultural weaknesses, outdated and prescriptive laws, and poor enforcement of existing regulations, leading to the destruction of numerous ecosystems and the extinction or reduction of rare animal species in various regions of the country. In the social and political domains, the lack of support for non-governmental organizations and their structural weakness have resulted in the spread of wildlife trade and the pursuit of profit from such activities. Therefore, the present study seeks to propose an ideal model for the interaction between the government and civil society in the protection of wildlife. The main question is: What mechanisms of interaction between the government and civil society exist in the context of wildlife protection? The findings indicate that, regarding the interaction between the government and civil society in wildlife conservation, several mechanisms can be identified: amending certain legal provisions concerning animal hunting—particularly Article 6 of the Hunting Law; fostering cooperation between domestic and international civil organizations; utilizing the potential of cyberspace and social networks; involving indigenous and local communities in the protection of wildlife habitats; and promoting a public discourse through scientific and educational institutions. In this framework, the government, acting as a facilitator and law reformer through the inclusion of civil society and public organizations, and by creating the necessary conditions to benefit from international and regional experiences, can play a significant role in improving and reforming legal frameworks and regulations. The present paper employs a descriptive–analytical method and relies on library-based research tools.