S.H Mirkarimi - Department of Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
C Arrowsmith - School of Mathematical & Geospatial Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,
M Mohammadzadeh - Department of Environmental Sciences, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences, Gorgan, Iran,

Compared with two hundreds years ago, today there is greater knowledge in the discipline of protected areas planning. In Iran, we see improvements in research and knowledge in protected area planning y in Iran this knowledge base lags behind that of the developed world. Generally, sustainable development is the main aim of all different kinds and approaches to protected areas agement. Therefore, it is important to know how we define the term sustainable development in practice. Is there any difference between the aim of protected area planning in Iran to that of other countries? To answer to this question, this paper reviews literature related to protected area management. In doing this, the paper reviews the reasons for protecting different areas worldwide over recorded history. We see a move from single use protected areas 10500 years ago to today where protected areas have a number of uses and reasons for protection. Through a case study approach, protected area management approaches in Iran to those conducted in Australia will be compared. The results discuss the reasons behind more preservative approach in protected area planning in Iran compared with Australia.

Protected Areas, Sustainable Development, Environmental Management, Ecological Planning