Studying today's pastoral societies in Iran, we find that throughout the year many of them use two different sets of measurement units and farming practices, depending on where they are camping at the time. This proves that the selection and application of methods and approaches is determined largely by the environmental limits of grazing land and farmlands used in the dry or wet seasons. These variations testify to the flexibility, dynamism and complexity of indigenous knowledge. Before there was general awareness of the value of IK, certain practices were condemned as being a form of superstition, such as declaring certain areas of the forest in the north of Iran off limits, because the locals believe that harmful spirits live there. Currently, areas of the forest are being similarly protected against intrusion and logging by means of barbed wire and court sanctions.
Evidence shows that the former areas are far better protected than the latter.
Old 'superstition' has been replaced by the mistaken belief that legal sanctions and protective walls around natural resources will bring about understanding, cooperation and participation. However, it is far more rational and sensible to integrate indigenous knowledge into development, for the simple reason that it is less expensive, readily available, environmentally appropriate and familiar, and most important of all, it has a proven record of effectiveness.