Development programs rely on the exploitation of natural resources; consequently, the devastation of the natural world is inevitable. However, development can contribute to the preservation of the environment. In the context of social conditions, environmentally deleterious behaviors manifest as a manifestation of the disparity between development and degradation.
Using qualitative research methods, the purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of social development on the environmental behaviors of the villagers in the province of Gilan.Purposive sampling was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with 42 villagers and experts, who comprise the study population. Using qualitative content analysis, Directed Deductive, and the concept of “objective indicators of advantaged social development” as a modified concept of Inglehart’s theory of material/post-material values, and by coding, categorizing, and identifying regular relationships between categories and concepts, the data was analyzed. The research’s credibility was attained through the use of two methods: selective credibility and credibility evaluation via communication method.
Objective and infrastructural indicators of development are prevalent in rural areas, but social development programs have not been effective in promoting the protection behaviors and environmental culturalization of villagers. The overall proposition derived from the findings is as follows: “in rural areas, environmental protection culture has not been institutionalized concurrently with social development programs.”
Results indicate the underdevelopment and lack of institutionalization of environmental culture as the missing development link to safeguard the environment in the villages studied.