In proportion to the growth of technology, human muscular activity has decreased, and machine and urban life have caused people to pay less attention to sports and activity. Machines are taking over all physical work from home to work, muscle strength gradually deteriorates, and the nervous stresses of machine life put pressure on mental strength. Machine-driven societies become tired, and people are severely exposed to all kinds of personal and social harm. On the other hand, pollution produced by machines and various industries has had a negative impact not only on human life, but also on the life of all creatures and the future of the earth. For this reason, in recent years, the physical and mental health of different segments of society has been threatened by various respiratory, cardiac, digestive, skin, and mental diseases, followed by depression. The excessive use of fossil fuel vehicles not only causes a decrease in underground reserves and a significant waste of the country’s budget, but also has very destructive, harmful, and sometimes irreparable adverse effects on society and its individuals.

Therefore, the industrialization of societies and the growth of industries in all fields, and the accelerated movement of humans towards mechanization of all aspects of life, caused a number of people who were concerned about human health and the environment to take steps to warn and point out the dangers and problems resulting from the crisis that will afflict future generations of humanity in the future.

Therefore, different societies have considered many ways to deal with these crises in order to have a healthy society and a bright future. A number of these activities include: turning to public sports in the field of community health, using public transportation, producing modern cars with low energy consumption, in other words, clean transportation in the transportation industry, developing a culture of using clean and renewable energies such as wind and solar energy in the industrial sector. And so it came about that the use of bicycles, the result of the aforementioned activities, or in simpler terms, this masterpiece of physics, as a device that, by converting people’s muscle power into kinetic energy and moving the wheels, has the highest energy efficiency compared to any other device ever made, has received more attention and the bicycle has made its place among the people. Because the bicycle is the only vehicle that can be considered a suitable, healthy and low-cost exercise without air pollution and noise pollution. When we think about the problems caused by traffic, air pollution, car traffic of people from one point to another and their lack of movement and movement, it must be admitted that one of the ways that seems beneficial and economical is to use a bicycle as a compact and comfortable vehicle and a happy, body-building and entertaining sport, desirable and effective. Therefore, it is necessary to pay great attention to cycling and the culture of using it. Today, bicycles play an important role in urban traffic management, and in some cities of the world, a significant share of intra-city transportation is carried out by bicycles. Countries such as Japan and China, which started using bicycles in the years between 1970 and 1980, today declare bicycles as the most important means of transportation in their society, this movement then spread to Europe and America.

Most people today find no joy in their busy, machine-driven lives, while gaining happiness and vitality is essential for physical health and for sustaining life. To achieve vitality, exercising—and particularly participating in group physical activities such as cycling—is highly effective. More importantly, cycling not only benefits the individual rider but can also contribute to a healthier, more vibrant society and cleaner air. According to research by the British Heart Foundation, cycling at least 20 miles (approximately 32 kilometers) per week reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by more than half compared to non-cyclists. Cycling at a moderate speed of 12 miles per hour (20 km/h) on a flat road burns about 450 kilocalories per hour, creates a feeling of youthfulness, and reduces stress. Furthermore, cycling boosts the body’s metabolic rate for several hours after the activity, meaning the body continues to burn calories even after the exercise is over. Cycling is primarily an aerobic activity, and this type of exercise is beneficial for the lungs, which are responsible for delivering and supplying oxygen to the blood. Having strong heart and lungs is one of the fundamental parameters of physical health. In addition to improving physique, body shape, and increasing oxygen consumption, cycling also strengthens muscle power. Even after just a few kilometers of cycling, your muscles begin to benefit. The main muscles used during cycling are the upper thigh muscles, back muscles, and calf muscles. Other benefits of this exercise include enhancing the body’s ability to prevent lactic acid buildup, reducing body fat percentage, and decreasing the complications of type 2 diabetes. From a strength perspective, cycling is preferable to track and field sports because in cycling, you are continuously exercising against resistance. Cycling is not only an excellent sport for maintaining and improving the cardiovascular system…

– It is emphasized that vascularity is emphasized, but contrary to popular belief, it is not harmful to the knee joint and is one of the most important movements beneficial to the knee. If cycling is done correctly and in accordance with the principles, the muscle structure that supports the joints is strengthened, and the production of joint fluid, which acts like oil between the joints and prevents their wear, is also increased, as a result of which joint pain is reduced. Exercising releases substances known as endorphins into the bloodstream, these substances create satisfaction and happiness in the person and, as a result, reduce stress. Naturally, if you cycle in a pleasant and pleasant environment, your level of satisfaction will be even higher. It should be noted that in addition to the above benefits, cycling has potential risks that, if not paid attention to, can endanger the health of people, which of course, these problems can also be resolved with care and attention to safety issues. This sport is suitable for all ages and all segments of society, both men and women. In other words, if cycling becomes popular in society, it will be an important step towards improving the physical health and vitality of society.

As mentioned in the first part, the issue of traffic and its related problems, along with the diseases and deaths caused by air pollution, are serious and important issues in our society, and the need to find solutions for them is felt more acutely every day. Nowadays, traffic congestion is not limited to metropolitan areas alone; traffic jams during school dismissal hours, at dusk, and during consecutive multi-day holidays have spread to all cities in the province. Furthermore, the direct effects of air pollutants on the respiratory system and lungs, the causation of neurobehavioral disorders in children, cardiovascular diseases, and increased blood pressure in the elderly and heart patients are no secret to anyone. How long will closing schools and government offices remain the solution to the air pollution crisis? According to the experience and model of European countries, by promoting a culture of cycling, traffic in large cities has been streamlined and air pollution has been reduced. Meanwhile, the high number of single-occupancy vehicles, old and non-standard cars in the country’s metropolises, and the high levels of pollutant gases resulting from fuel combustion in these motor vehicles—such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, along with lead and suspended particles from various industrial activities—have led the government to declare one- or two-day closures of some state centers, harming the national economy (a one-day nationwide shutdown inflicts a $1.5 billion loss on the country’s gross domestic product). Using bicycles and promoting a cycling culture as the best alternative to environmentally polluting vehicles for short intra-city trips has been institutionalized in European countries for years. In recent years, the use of self-service or rental bicycles has been implemented in some European cities such as Copenhagen, Paris (with 371 kilometers of designated cycling routes), Amsterdam, and Montreal (which has 2,400 cycling paths with an investment of $134 million). In Japan, the creation of places for free bicycle delivery to citizens and the construction of bicycle parking lots began in 1973, and according to statistics, only in Beijing, the capital of China, four million bicycles are in use. In many countries, there is a combination of bicycle use and other conventional transportation systems, so that many people use bicycles to reach metro or bus stations, and upon arriving at these stations and parking their bicycles in designated parking lots adjacent to these stations, they continue their journey using public transportation. Nowadays, in addition to citizens, institutions and centers such as the police in Europe also use this vehicle to improve the urban transportation system, ease traffic flow, and reduce travel by personal cars. Economically speaking, purchasing 1,000 bicycles for public use is more cost-effective compared to purchasing a single public city bus. According to statistics, for transporting one person over one kilometer, a bus consumes about 20 times more energy and a personal car about 40 times more energy than a bicycle, and the urban access speed of a bicycle over distances of 4 to 7 kilometers is greater than that of other vehicles.

In addition to easily navigating through heavy traffic, cycling also helps preserve the cleanliness of nature and the environment because it requires no motive energy other than muscular effort. For this reason, in many countries around the world, people have a positive view of cyclists, and bicycles hold greater value than other vehicles. Of course, this—meaning the use of this vehicle and the practice of cycling—requires the growth and development of a cycling culture among members of society. By summarizing the effects of cycling in resolving the crisis of air pollution, environmental issues, traffic problems, and the medical benefits of cycling, it can be stated that providing all necessary facilities to encourage people to use bicycles—such as establishing free and paid bicycle stations, bicycle parking lots, intra-city and inter-city cycling paths, using bicycles in public and sports venues, using bicycles in protected areas and parks, making bicycles available to citizens in various ways, and creating a safe and respectful environment for cyclists—is essential. Achieving this would reflect the extent to which the physical and mental health of individuals in a society is valued by its officials. It is worth noting that plans have been implemented in District 8 of Tehran Municipality as well as in the cities of Isfahan and Mashhad, but due to numerous unresolved issues, they have not been very successful. Nevertheless, under such circumstances, fortunately, many people still—despite the many challenges facing cyclists and the lack of suitable grounds for promoting a cycling culture—remain interested in this useful vehicle, and the use of bicycles for specific purposes is gradually becoming more widespread. Affordability, no need for fuel, occupying less space, easy maintenance and repair, and usability in narrow or access-restricted streets are among the most important economic features…

…of bicycles from a socio-economic perspective. On the other hand, the lack of noise and environmental pollution has made them considerably more acceptable. Despite these advantages, there are many obstacles facing cyclists, including the lack of suitable paths for cyclists and their safety in the city, the absence of dedicated bicycle parking spaces or lots to ensure the security of parked bicycles, the lack of a positive and informed view toward cyclists in the city, insufficient public awareness campaigns about the benefits of cycling among citizens, a shortage of standard bicycles suited to their intended use, along with people’s lack of knowledge about different types of bicycles, and the particular challenges faced by women cyclists—these are only part of the barriers to promoting a cycling culture in our country.

The dignity and status of cycling culture, given its favorable role in the health of society and the reduction of heart disease – …and its effect on reducing social problems and issues related to vehicle congestion, improving traffic conditions, and significantly reducing air pollution, necessitates the provision of essential infrastructure through the participation, consultation, and cooperation of all cultural and executive institutions—including the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Environmental Protection Organization, the Physical Education Organization, the Municipality and Islamic City Councils, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the Traffic Police, the Law Enforcement Force, the Ministry of Education, and non-governmental organizations and associations such as various sports groups, and so on—because taking steps toward improving public health is the duty of all responsible institutions. Presenting special plans within comprehensive programs aimed at motivating exercise and bicycle use among all members of society, and consequently ensuring public health, by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Physical Education Organization; producing cultural and educational programs by the IRIB; designing and creating dedicated cycling routes in cities by municipalities; providing bicycle parking spaces within schools and universities; and encouraging students to use bicycles as a clean mode of transportation (free from air and noise pollution) combined with exercise, by the Ministries of Education and Science, Research and Technology—all of these will play a significant role in promoting cycling culture. In other words, the responsibility for this cultural development does not lie with just one specific body or organization; rather, all intellectual and executive factors must strive together and fulfill their duties in this important mission. It is a source of great hope that in August of this year, based on a resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Physical Education Organization was tasked with developing a plan for public bicycle use in cooperation with responsible bodies, with the aim of promoting mass sports. Although the practical results of this plan have not been tangible to date. Today, more than 20 million people worldwide use bicycles as their daily means of transportation. However, for this purpose—that is, using bicycles—citizens must observe certain unwritten rules that are the duty of every citizen. That is, just as pedestrians and drivers must respect the rights of cyclists, cyclists must also not disregard their rights, so that no problems arise for either party. If motor vehicles do not watch out for the safety of cyclists, cyclists will not dare to use bicycles, and this is where the need for active traffic police involvement becomes evident. Currently, women in our society suffer from a lack of suitable dedicated sports facilities, especially for this sport, because due to a lack of cultural awareness, they face particular difficulties even when observing Islamic dress codes. Although a small number of large metropolitan parks have established cycling tracks, limited facilities, short routes, and a lack of promotion and cultural development mean that only a few cycling enthusiasts can benefit from the limited available facilities. Of course, this problem is less noticeable in the city of Astara for male cyclists—though not for women—due to the region’s natural topography. Nevertheless, it is expected that relevant organizations will design and construct public and general routes for this sport so that everyone can exercise in a calm and safe environment. Promoting and enriching the culture of bicycle use will greatly reduce physical, mental, and psychological harm, economic costs, traffic and transportation issues, and air pollution, and will effectively help us achieve a healthy city with clean air and a blue sky. Therefore, creating facilities for families to purchase suitable bicycles, teaching the correct use of bicycles, ensuring the safety and security of cyclists during their travels by designing and building dedicated cycling paths throughout the city, establishing enforceable laws regarding drivers’ obligation to give way to cyclists, organizing public cycling tours for all age groups, and building sports tracks in cities with special attention to women-only spaces—all of these, while helping to reduce air and noise pollution, can pave the way for the growth and development of a culture of cycling as a sport and contribute to the physical and mental health of individuals in society.

Habib Sadri Fard – Ecotourism Expert

Community and cycling

Iran’s nature tourism location

“Iran is a vast land with astonishing nature; wherever we set foot in this country, we encounter unique and remarkable sights. However, it seems that true nature-based tourism—in its proper sense—is missing from our tourism landscape. From the shores of the Caspian Sea to the azure coastlines of the Persian Gulf, and from the eastern borders to the western frontiers, the entire country is covered with lush green landscapes and deserts.”

“A land where one can simultaneously behold dense forests and dry, barren deserts. A country with over 800 kilometers of water borders in the north and 1,600 kilometers in the south—all of which testify to the stunning beauty of this land.”

“26 wildlife sanctuaries, 495 bird species, over 7,000 plant species, approximately 325 aquatic species, with 93% of the world’s sturgeon fish reserves, and 19 natural resources museums—these are only a glimpse of these wonders.”

“Alongside these astonishing capacities, 2,000 mineral springs provide the most delightful moments for tourists—a potential that, if properly attended to, could bring great profit to the country.”

“The beautiful shores of the Caspian Sea, Lake Urmia (the largest saltwater lake in the world), Lake Hamoun (one of the sweetest lakes in the world), and having some of the best ski resorts in the world with over 7 months of snow cover are among the beauties of Iran.”

“Although Iran ranks among the top 5 countries in the world in terms of natural attractions, our country’s name does not appear on the list of the top 100 countries in the world in terms of the number of tourists and tourism revenue.”

In these circumstances, the contribution of Iranian tourism to the gross national product is about 0.07 percent, and the income of each Iranian person from the tourism industry is only $2.5.

With this situation, nature tourism can help Iran’s tourism to boost this industry. At present, the nature tourism industry in Iran is not in a good condition like other branches of tourism.

“According to experts, nature tourism in Iran, given the country’s unique capacities, could attract millions of tourists annually and thereby lead to the prosperity of these regions. Identifying these areas, along with developing tourism facilities and infrastructure, are among the key issues that must be addressed to grow nature tourism.”

** Environmental protection: the missing link in nature tourism *

Although nature tourism is practiced to a lesser extent in some parts of the country, neglect of environmental protection remains one of the major challenges of this type of tourism.

“Leaving all kinds of waste in beautiful nature is the result of a day of nature tourism for some of us. Discarding this waste causes serious damage to the environment—an act that ultimately leads to environmental degradation.”

“A tourism expert says in this regard: ‘Not every outing in nature can be considered nature tourism in its standard and scientific sense.'”

“Unfortunately, some people who go into nature not only do nothing to protect the environment, but most of their activities actually cause destruction and harm to it. In fact, with their entry and exit from an area, they sometimes inflict irreparable damage on nature.”

“We think that spending time in nature means taking a day off to go to a pleasant area in the plains or mountains, breaking branches and trees to make a fire and cook food, and then leaving the place with piles of rubbish and waste behind. While this is certainly not the purpose of nature tourism.”

**Tourist paradise in the heart of the desert**

“Many of us think that nature tourism simply means traveling to green areas; but the reality and capacity of nature tourism is not limited to touring these regions. We must examine how much the interaction of these centers with one another is effective in attracting tourists and developing tourism, and to what extent its output has influenced the economic growth of the destination.”

“Perhaps some of us imagine that deserts and arid lands have no tourism potential, but this is not the case, and these regions are full of their own unique attractions. It is possible to create massive tourism facilities deep within the desert and turn it into a paradise for tourists—a reality that is currently taking shape in some parts of the country, such as the Biabanak region. Today, in many areas of the country and across a large part of the Iranian plateau, tourism and nature tourism are a priority.”

“Nature tourism is a general form of travel, but ecotourism is a responsible journey to various regions that leads to the preservation of the environment and the well-being of the host community. The development of this type of tourism is one of the methods of sustainable development in pristine natural and less-developed environments.”

“Currently, there is a national structure known as the National Committee for Nature Tourism, established for policy-making, guidance, and support of the development process of this type of tourism, which is expected to become more active. The grounds for interaction between this structure and related centers must be further facilitated so that it can effectively contribute to the sustainable development of this branch of tourism.”

“It must be examined how much the interaction of these centers with one another is effective in increasing the number of tourists and developing tourism, and to what extent its output has influenced the economic growth of the destination.”

“Various regions of the country, including Iran’s desert areas, are full of tourist attractions. Currently, in a region called Biabanak (near Damghan), a massive tourism capacity has been created, which can be described as a paradise for tourists. If this tourism capacity in this region were to be shut down, the entire area would become useless. This tourism capacity emerged in the heart of the scorching desert, and this same development should take place in all parts of the country.”

“The development of nature tourism is a resolve of the establishment, and the eleventh government has placed great emphasis on it, and I am optimistic about the measures taken by this administration.”

“Nevertheless, traveling to nature requires planning and adherence to regulations. In this case, if nature tourism is organized in the form of one- or multi-day tours, it will lead to the prosperity of tourism.”

Providing the necessary training for environmental protection is a necessity, because it both keeps the environment safe from harm and reduces disruption to the lives of local people.

Miandasht Jajarm Desert

Ecotourism is an important branch of tourism that has seen significant growth in the global economy. However, the geographical distribution of this income is very unbalanced, with 80 percent of employment and income from this industry being allocated to Europe and the United States, and the remaining 20 percent, 2.5 percent of which is from the Middle East and 1 percent from Iran. This is despite the fact that Iran is unique and attractive in terms of its nature and unique due to its biodiversity and climate, and is the fifth largest country in the world and has high potential in the ecotourism industry.

*The importance of the desert in tourism

The silence and night of the desert cannot be experienced anywhere else. It is as if one arrives spontaneously. Don’t miss the autumn for desert trekking in the desert.

A large part of the vast land of Iran is made up of deserts. Until a few years ago, many believed that deserts had no properties and that huge expenses should be spent on desertification to make these areas usable, but a little later, with the development of the tourism industry, the definitions of deserts changed.

Desert trekking became one of the most popular branches of nature tourism, and since then, special desert tours have been held in the second half of the year, when the weather gets colder. The best season for desert trekking is autumn, when the weather is neither as warm and hot as spring and summer, nor as cold as winter.

*Introduction to Miandasht Desert

The most beautiful painting of nature, painted with the fingertips of a master painter on the vast expanse of this untouched desert canvas, is an art form. When a person places his foot on the hot heart of this gentle sand, there is practically no trace that is not left behind.

The Miandasht-Jajarm Desert, with an area of ​​about 84,435 hectares, about 100 kilometers away from Bojnurd, the provincial capital, in the southwest of this province, has more than 110 plant species including sedge, wormwood, taj, jame-dar, almond, etc. / Animal diversity of mammals such as: leopard, deer, ram and ewe, hyena, wild cat species, etc. / Birds including: hoopoe, capercaillie, pheasant, pheasant, quail, and various eagles / Reptiles including: viper, horned viper, turtle, and various types of snake, etc. The highest point above sea level is Khajeh Peak with an altitude of 1,312 meters located in the southwest of the desert and the lowest point is around Kal-Shor located in the northwest of the region, about 900 meters above sea level. The minimum temperature in winter is -10 degrees and the maximum in summer is 45 degrees / The average rainfall is about 200 millimeters per year.

*Potentials of the Miandasht Jajarm Desert

Given the proximity of the Miandasht Desert to the city of Sankhast (7 kilometers) and its proximity to power and water transmission lines, the desert can become a tourist hub in the country if investment is made and infrastructure facilities are established for tourists. Especially since it is located about 100 kilometers from Bojnord, the provincial capital. In organizing 2 or 3-day tours, tourists can visit numerous habitats, such as visiting the Asiatic cheetah, deer, and other special animals of the region, the Miandasht and Sorkh Cheshmeh environmental checkpoints, including numerous archaeological and historical monuments such as the historical castles of Robat Qoli and the pristine and beautiful nature of the Miandasht Desert, the Kalshor Salt Mine, which has beautiful salt polygons, and observing the collective flight of migratory birds. The following services can also be provided in the Miandasht Desert if investment is made: camel riding, cycling, motorcycle riding, car riding, paragliding, and performing local music. And traditional and Iranian, playing desert instruments, walking barefoot in the desert, which creates a delightful dream in humans. Also, seeing the stars in the desert nights is another of the most important attractions of the Miandasht desert.

* Access routes to the Miandasht Jajarm desert

1- Bojnourd – Miandasht about 100 kilometers

2- Sankhast – Miandasht 7 km.

3- جاجرم – میاندشت( از مسیر راه آهن) – حدود 15 كيلومتر

4- اسفراین – میاندشت حدود 5۵ كيلومتر

وجود یوز پلنگ آسیایی به عنوان پدیده کم نظیر موجب شهرت ملی و جهانی خراسان شمالی گردیده است که در واقع وجود یوز در حصار بعنوان یک مقصد گردشگری برای علاقه مندان حیات وحش بسیار حائز اهمیت می باشد منتهی اگر انتقال این یوز به لحاظ کارشناسی،بهترین راه ممکن حفظ حیات وحش باشد ، در صورت کاستن دغدغه دوستداران محیط زیست اقدام ممیمونی تلقی می گردد .

Tourism in the hands of the local community

اقامتگاه‌ های بوم گردی یکی از اصلی‌ ترین اشکال کسب و کارهای گردشگری در جوامع بومی هستند که علاوه بر اشتغال‌ زایی و گردش مالی مناسب در روستاها و مناطق غیرشهری، می‌توانند به کمک توسعه پایدار بیایند. این اقامتگاه‌ ها با بهره‌ گیری از نیروی انسانی بومی می‌توانند مانع مهاجرت از روستاها و شهرهای کوچک به کلان‌ شهرها شوند و همچنین توزیع ثروت را به همراه داشته باشند.

Every year, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) welcomes World Tourism Day with a special theme, and all member countries of the organization focus their special ceremonies on this day around this theme. On the other hand, during the year that lies ahead for tourism organizations and ministries in different countries, the proposed theme will be the main focus of their activities.

Last year, the central theme was “Tourism and Water,” an issue that has become a major crisis these days. This year, the slogan “Tourism and Development of Indigenous Communities” has been given attention; a theme that can be exploited in the best way for countries like Iran, due to its villages and small towns with rich cultures. In this area, especially in recent years, valuable efforts have been made by indigenous and local people in Iran, and there are also experts who are working to develop this issue in villages and tribes. Dr. Taghi Farvour, President of the Global Consortium of Indigenous Fences, is one of these individuals who has a long history of working with indigenous and local communities in Iran. During his 45 years of professional activity, he has been actively involved with organizations such as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). He is currently the President of the International Consortium of Indigenous Conservation (ICCA), a member of the Board of Trustees of the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation in Switzerland, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Sustainable Development and Environment (CENESTA) in Iran. Since he has been a facilitator and senior advisor in some of Dr. Farvor’s projects in the field of tourism in different continents, he says about the standard ecotourism practices in the world and its comparison with Iran:

Managing local tourism with local people, there are usually two examples of tourism systems based on local tourism. In the first model, private investors, the government, NGOs, etc. enter this field, and in the second model, the local community takes over the management of tourism in its region. He adds: In Iran, we think that the local community does not have the necessary awareness and should be managed from the outside; while the local community can organize tourism in its region and be its own boss. Farvor continues: In some cases, we see the private sector entering the local community and trying to carry out valuable measures in the field of tourism and also benefiting from the local community in its work, but generally what is observed is that the local community is used more as a crew than as an employer. In fact, in this case, the employer is an outsider who also earns more profit.

A member of the board of trustees of the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation in Switzerland states: In this case, only a few people in the local community benefit as tourist guides or food providers or tourist transportation, but the control and management of tourism is not in their hands and they are somehow subject to external factors and individuals. Stating that this practice is unacceptable in the world in the discussion of responsible tourism, fair tourism or community-based tourism, he states: If you give any opportunity to outsiders or even to a part of the local community, you have deprived the rest of the local community of this advantage and they will inevitably play a secondary role. This is while the local community has shown in recent years that it will be able to manage tourism in its own region.

جامعه بومی ماهر شود

In response to the question of what measures the local community can take to market them globally, the head of the Global Consortium of Indigenous Communities says: When the indigenous community is unable to manage a sector, for example, it cannot attract international tourists, it leaves this task to a tour operator or domestic and foreign agencies, but in a 5 or 10-year perspective, the indigenous community should be able to form sectors that specialize in attracting tourists and have learned skills such as mastery of English and management of tourist sites. While criticizing the entry of non-indigenous people into the management of regional tourism, he considers such a practice to be the reason why the local community is lagging behind in the benefits of tourism and adds: The main slogan that exists in indigenous communities in today’s world is that personal and private interests should be within the framework of collective interests and that its management should be in the hands of local people. For example, in a country like Namibia where ecotourism and participatory conservation have been initiated by the local community, you will see that in some cases where the local community has not been able to carry out that activity, it has partnered with the private sector and each carries out part of the activities of the tourism industry, but this does not mean reducing the role of local people in terms of service providers. What emerges from Dr. Farour’s statements is the emphasis on a type of tourism in which the people of a region can benefit from the benefits of the tourism industry by participating with each other and each is considered a cog in the wheel of this industry.

خط‌مشی حاکم بر اکوتوریسم

یکی از الزامات پیاده‌ کردن اکوتوریسم در بسیاری از کشورها، وجود چارچوب قانونی متناسب با نیازهای کنشگران و فعالیت‌های آنها است. در این راه بسیاری از کشورها استراتژی‌ها و خط‌ مشی‌هایی را تدوین و طی آن نحوه مشارکت کنشگران در جوامع محلی، مسئولیت‌های ذینفعان مختلف ازجمله نهاد های دولتی برای به حداقل رساندن آسیب‌ های زیست‌ محیطی و فرهنگی و غیره را مشخص ‌کرده‌اند. این خط‌ مشی‌ ها عمدتا مبتنی بر مشارکت بخش عمومی و خصوصی است. البته در این راه باید اصول حاکم بر اکوتوریسم را نیز در نظر داشت. اصولی که باید چراغ راه تدوین خط‌ مشی حاکم بر اکوتوریسم باشد. در این نوشتار به تبیین خط‌ مشی و اصول حاکم بر اکوتوریسم پرداخته شده است.

تعریف اکوتوریسم

گونه‌ای از گردشگری پایدار است که با کمک آن، میراث طبیعی و فرهنگی منطقه از جمله مشارکت جامعه محلی، حمایت و مدیریت منابع طبیعی، فرهنگ و عرف منطقه همانند منافع اقتصادی نشات‌ گرفته از گردشگری برای غنای جوامع محلی و رضایت هرچه بیشتر گردشگران بهبود می‌ یابد و تقویت می‌ شود. به‌ طور خلاصه، اکوتوریسم به مسافرت مسئولانه به مناطق طبیعی اشاره دارد که واجد حفاظت از محیط‌ زیست و رفاه مردم محلی است. از آنجا که اکوتوریسم هنوز میان ذینفعان صنعت گردشگری جا نیفتاده است بسیاری از دولت‌ها و کسب‌ وکارها بدون آنکه متوجه اصول بنیادی آن باشند اکوتوریسم را ترویج می‌کنند. تعیین اصول و دستورالعمل‌های قابل پذیرش از نظر ملی و بین‌المللی از دهه 90 میلادی به بعد با گام‌های آهسته آغاز شد. مهم‌ ترین دلیل کندی این حرکت نیز، وجود ذینفعان از مناطق مختلف با پیشینه‌های متفاوت است که در این فرآیند دخیل هستند. هر منطقه‌ای نیز که متاثر از اکوتوریسم است باید اصول و دستورالعمل‌های مختص خود را ایجاد کند. مهم‌ترین اصول از نظر بین‌المللی پذیرفته‌ شده به‌ منظور ترویج و توسعه اکوتوریسم به شرح زیر است:

• به حداقل رساندن اثرات خارجی منفی بر طبیعت و فرهنگ منطقه.

• Educating tourists about the importance of environmental protection.

• Emphasizing the importance of responsible business that works with local authorities and people to meet the needs of the local community and the interests of environmental protection.

• Directly awarding rewards for the protection and management of natural and protected areas.

• Maximize economic benefits for the host country, local communities and businesses, especially for the local people living in those areas.

• Ensuring that tourism development does not exceed social and environmental limits determined by researchers in collaboration with local communities.

The need to develop a policy for ecotourism

Ecotourism, like other sectors of tourism, requires government attention and policy development. The government should also clarify the responsibilities and duties of the institutions involved in it so that ambiguity and lack of clarity in responsibilities do not harm local communities and natural resources. It seems that the following requirements should be considered by those developing policies governing ecotourism:

الف- ایجاد هماهنگی میان منافع و کنش‌های متفاوت کنشگران دخیل در اکوتوریسم.

B- Participation and recognition of the culture of local communities in the development of ecotourism products, as well as determining the form of organization and management, and regularizing policies related to planning and promotion.

C- Regularization based on intersectoral and multidisciplinary participation of ecotourism development programs; defining criteria for the protection of natural areas, as well as defining models for the participation of local communities in the management and implementation of ecotourism-related activities, levels of responsibility of natural and legal persons, the public and private sectors, and the level of participation of non-governmental organizations.

D- Promoting the regulation of ethical standards and guidelines related to the development of activities related to ecotourism.

E- Promoting the certification and accreditation of national ecotourism actors based on a commitment to conservation and social responsibility.

F- Ensuring the protection of natural resources through the implementation of ecotourism policies and mechanisms, which are of fundamental importance for the survival of local communities and the sustainability of ecotourism activities.

g- Encourage the reinvestment of economic resources arising from ecotourism in the management and control of natural areas, as well as the development of the quality of life of local communities, strengthen local communities to develop tools for the management of natural resources for ecotourism, promote educational activities focused on members of local communities who develop activities appropriate to ecotourism. In this process, knowledge exchange between local communities and other actors should be established.

Ecotourism, the link between economy and nature

Ecotourism is a dynamic and vibrant industry in the world’s economic, political, social and cultural scenes. Ecotourism activities include hiking, crossing raging rivers, traveling to rural and forest areas, traveling to villages and farms to enjoy nature and learn about cultures, mountaineering, visiting natural caves, studying flora and fauna, watching animals and birds, and getting to know the natural environment. Ecotourism is a responsible trip to natural areas that helps protect nature and improve the lives of local communities.

The term ecotourism always carries a value, and people who choose such trips are generally ethical people who try to benefit the surrounding environment and the host society during their trip. In fact, in ecotourism trips, people prepare themselves for a proper presence in nature.

When the indigenous community is familiar with the true values ​​of the nature of their region and the planning for the said region is done wisely and taking into account the demands of all stakeholders, including the host community, the indigenous people will certainly not only not be indifferent to the natural values ​​of their region, but will also strive to protect it.

A look at ecotourism

Nature tourism trips have their own culture, principles, and specific conditions. Such trips are very, very different from cultural trips such as visiting a historical city, palace, museum, or national park, and staying in a hotel or guesthouse with all the amenities within the city.

A nature trip begins at home, when the nature traveler is choosing the equipment needed for the trip. We can call his backpack a nature backpack or ecotourism backpack. Perhaps, this topic may seem meaningless or unimportant to you, while the more you think or study about it, the more you will realize its complexity and importance.

Note that when choosing the necessary travel gear, your taste, purpose, destination weather conditions, length of trip, your age and gender, type of trip, means of transportation, items that will make you more comfortable while traveling, and the socio-cultural conditions of the host society all affect the contents of your backpack.

1. The first and most important tip is to pack light. Obviously, the lighter you travel, the less energy you will use in transportation. Traveling light allows you to use public transportation. Third, carrying fewer and unnecessary items is less likely to provoke feelings of inferiority and economic weakness in the host community.

2. Wear simple, non-flashy, quick-drying, long-sleeved clothing in colors common in nature that will not attract too much attention from the locals. Do not dress in a way that will attract the locals to you and cause you trouble.

3. Choose your clothes according to the season you are traveling in. Always carry extra socks with you. However, do not carry too many clothes with you.

4. Help and support the local economy by leaving space in your backpack and buying from locals when you return.

5. Another very important point is to complete your studies about the purpose and destination before starting the trip. Instead of taking heavy travel guide books, take your notes. Be careful to avoid buying old travel guide books. Otherwise, you will face many problems at the destination.

6. Use relevant books to learn practical phrases of the locals such as hello, thank you, goodbye, etc.

7. Use lightweight sheets and blankets. Keep a cloth bag in your backpack to separate your clean and dirty clothes.

8.در صورت نیاز و ضرورت استفاده از الکتریسیته در مقصد، تلاش کنید حداقل بهره برداری را داشته باشید.

9- حتما، مواد دفع کننده حشرات، ضد آفتاب تهیه شده از مواد طبیعی، کیف کمک های اولیه، عینک آفتابی، لیوان، چاقوی جیبی چند کاره که معمولا به همراه قاشق و چنگال است، مسواک، چراغ قوه، کلاه آفتابی، و ژل ضدعفونی کننده برای استفاده بعد از دستشویی همراه داشته باشید.

10.در صورت عدم وجود آب تصفیه شده به خصوص در مناطقی که مالاریا شایع است، یک کتری برقی کوچک همراه داشته باشید.(البته هر آبی را مصرف نکنید و به اعلائم هشدار دهنده توجه کنید)

11.به جای برداشتن دستگاه‌ های صوتی پخش کننده و استفاده از هدفون به صداهای دلنشین طبیعتی که از آن دیدن می کنید، گوش کنید و تلاش کنید با مردم محلی حرف بزنید.

12. If you have acquaintances at your destination or are going to hire a local guide, it is better to bring them a photo or a small gift from where you live.

Tips for going into nature

13. همیشه یک مداد و دفتر یادداشت کوچک به جای لپ تاپ و…همراه داشته باشید.

14.یک ساعت ارزان و زنگ دار به همراه داشته باشید تا به موقع بیدار شده و سر قرارهای خود حاضر شوید.

15.فتوکپی از مدارک سفر خود به همراه داشته باشید تا در صورت مفقود شدن اصل آنها این مدارک بتوانند به شما کمک کنند.

16.باتری‌های قابل شارژ در صورت داشتن وسایل الکتریکی همراه داشته باشید. توجه کنید که فضای کافی برای برگرداندن زباله‌ های خود به خصوص پلاستیک‌ ها و باتری‌ ها داشته باشید، زیرا مناطق اکوتوریستی معمولا جایی برای بازیافت این مواد ندارند.

17. از صنایع دستی محلی که بازدید می‌کنید، برای دوستان خود هدیه تهیه کنید تا هم از اقتصاد محلی حمایت کرده و هم خاطره سفر را از یاد نبرید.

18. It is better to carry your own backpack and it is not advisable to use locals for this task. Regarding the type of backpack or bag, if you do not have a suitable backpack for travel or your old backpacks are no longer usable, look for backpacks and bags that are mostly made of recyclable materials.

19. Usually, the materials used in backpacks are not fully listed on their labels. However, asking about this feature of the backpack makes the seller think about getting more complete information from backpack and bag manufacturers about the degree of recycling of the materials used in the backpack or bag, and conveying this market need to them.

20. Searching the internet can help you find recyclable backpacks and bags. Perhaps the sellers of these types of backpacks and bags usually do not have complete information about this. Note that if you have a backpack, there is no need to buy a new one because consuming any additional equipment means using more earth resources and consumerism is in conflict with preserving the environment.

Habib Sadri Fard – Ecotourism Expert