Multiple streams framework and logging policy change in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran

The 2017 logging ban in Iran’s Hyrcanian forests represents a considerable forest policy change, which was proposed following the development of other major policies to improve natural resource management. The aim of this paper is to explain the development of the logging ban policy using Kingdon’s multiple streams framework (MSF). Qualitative methods–interviewing and document review–were used for data collection and analysis. The problem, politics and policy streams are shown to be linked in framing the policy change. We investigate how participants in the development of the policy used interlinkages between the problem, politics and policy streams to develop their proposals and how this simplified the change process. Despite some limitations, the MSF is helpful in explaining and analysing outcomes of natural resource management policy development processes.