Chapter - 5 Ecotourism Potentials of the Study Area 5.1. Ecotourism Potentials in Mulshi Lake: The area under study includes the hilly region of western Maharashtra. It is located between latitudes 18◦ 20’’ N and longitude 730 to 750 E and it occurs as strip between 700-1300 high in Mulshi of Pune district. The climate of Mulshi taluka is generally pleasant, although summers and winters can be somewhat extreme with summer temperatures approaching 400 C and winter temperatures falling to below 100 C. The summer season is spread over March, April and May whereas winters are spread over the period from November to February. The average rainfall, mainly through the southwest monsoon, in the district is about 1600 mm. and occurs over the period from June to October. The maximum humidity at 70 to 80 % is recorded during the rainy season, whereas in summers it is as low as 30%. Mulshi Taluka falls to the west of Pune. This area receives heavy rainfall. It is the hilly region of Pune, with one of the biggest mountain ranges in Maharashtra i.e. Sahyadri. Most of the area is covered with Forest. Sag, teak, oka mango, are the trees found in the forest. Rabbit, deer, wolf, fox, tiger, and leopards are the wild animals found in these areas. Peacock, Bulbul, Parrot are some of the birds found in this area. Rice is grown in this area on a large scale. There is also a Mulshi dam in this Taluka, Mulshi Lake is one of the important ecotourism sites in this area, as the biggest and wide lake around the Pune city has great potential for tourists. The river Mula crosses the Taluka from west to east, starting at the Mulshi Dam in the west, running near the village Paud and Khadaki in the center of the Taluka and then leaving the Taluka and continuing to Pune. There are around 108 species of fish, 102 blossoming plant species, 130 bird species in and around the riverbanks and surrounding areas. Because of the specific altitude and geographic location of lake, fog prevails during rainy and winter months of the year. The visitors come to enjoy the fog during night time. Climate is the most important factor in the development of tourism, especially ecotourism. Pleasant climate is different in terms of tourism with is a 131 good way to respond to conventional tourists to travel in and drive continuous improvement. Mulshi tourism region with special status (located between the two major cities (Pune and Mumbai) and its pristine nature and God always has a unique place in the future of this region. The role of ecotourism in the region to create employment for local people and surrounding towns and villages up and prevent migration population and diversification of activities in this area can take advantage of the capabilities of ecotourism this factor is used to increase the protection of the environment and wildlife, forest cover in the region. Also identify the capabilities and opportunities and tourist attractions, with an emphasis on sustainable ecotourism development and activation, they can play an important role in increasing employment, reducing immigration, cultural exchanges, economic development and regional security would be enhanced. Ecotourism potential of the area including pleasant climate and a significant amount of rain falling, exquisite landscapes and spectacular scenery in different seasons, topography, mountains and forested hills, deep forests, and the pretty (fruit of the plants and), the numerous waterfalls rainy season, which is the ability to attract tourists, particularly ecotourism has the potential. The area is rich in natural attractions and very strong, but unfortunately the infrastructure required for the use of tourists is inappropriate. Given the increasing importance of tourism and ecotourism in this area close to the poles of good and Contact Position population needs comprehensive support and cooperation of state and local officials in the development of infrastructure and facilities required in this area. 132 Table 5.1: Name of the Recreation Place and Location around Mulshi Lake No Name of the Location Facilities place 1 MalharMachi 18°32'36.57"N 20 well-appointed rooms / cottages. Resort 73°31'6.00"E Swimming and Baby Pool. Pool Side Restaurant. Indoor Games & Spa. Children Park. Well-equipped conference hall. Spacious Parking. 2 Girvan 18°33'35.42"N A Private Hill Station project comprising 73°31'14.98"E of tents, cottages, bungalows, with modern amenities like 24 hrs water, hot water, gas geyser, TV, refrigerator, caretaker. Bungalows with valley or mountain or lake facing view. 3 Kasturi 18°33'43.71"N An independent cozy laterite chira stone Cottage 73°32'24.87"E cottage has spacious rooms with attached washroom. open terrace, sit-out area/verandah, Dish TV, car parking, children play area, inverter backup, camp- fire, homemade veg./non veg. food, indoor-outdoor games, adventurous sports etc. 4 Gauri Resort 18°31'35.35"N A beautiful resort at beautiful location in. 73°36'56.66"E Mulshi - The resort has cottages, suites, standard rooms with cable TV, Telephone, hot and cold water. The resort provides both veg and non-veg food. 5 Lakeside 18°30'43.03"N A palatial bungalow resort on the banks of Verandah 73°31'0.85"E river at Mulshi. The Resort offers elegant Resort spacious well furnished rooms. Amenities like camp-fire, cycling, rafting, barbeque, mountain bikes, and rifle shooting & open air theatre are available. 6 Ambrosia 18°30'2.80"N A beautiful resort at beautiful location, Resort 73°30'50.94"E room facility and food. 7 Atmantan 18°28'35.34"N With a 123-room health resort known as Resort and 73°29'19.88"E Atmantan Health Resort at Mulshi near SPA Pune. The resort spread across 40 acres will be launched by October 2011 8 Lakshmi 18°33'46.40"N The rooms in the bungalow are equipped Bungalow 73°31'6.83"E with basic amenities and the common sit out is overlooking the lake. 9 Susegad 18°33'56.83"N The rooms in the single are equipped 73°30'20.13"E with basic amenities and the common sit 133 out is overlooking the lake and some type of food 10 Amit Resort 18°32'23.44"N Room facilities and many type of food 73°31'0.89"E and good landscape of Lake 11 Quike Bite 18°29'56.48"N Restaurant nearby Mulshi Lake with local Restaurant 73°30'49.53"E foods 13 Ashirwad 18°29'55.53"N Restaurant nearby Mulshi Lake with local Restaurant 73°30'50.62"E foods Fig 5.1: Showing deep forest and Hotel around Mulshi Lake. 134 Plate 5.1: Showing Camp Temgarh resort, Kasturi Cottage and Lakeside Verandah near Mulshi. 135 136 Plate 5.2: showing Ecotourism Potential near Mulshi Lake 5.2. Ecotourism Potentials in Zayandeh Rud River and Lake: Isfahan province has a privileged situation naturally and geographically and it is in a four-road center in the center of Iran easy access this province from all the points of country by air, land and railway is possible and considerable. This city is interesting and exceptional for the tourists throughout the world. Excellent preservation of its famous historical constructions has a major role in continuous importance and its popularity among visitors. The Zayandeh Rud River basin is located in the central part of Iran, with geographical coordinates between 50º 24' to 53º 24' North Longitudes and 31º 11' to 33º 42' North Latitude). This covers both beaches of Zayandeh Rud and even though only the northern part attracts the tourists, existence of a river that passes in the middle of city is the best pleasant perspective, and along its beaches gardens and trees the 137 exist that can be decorative scenes with making decorations. Zayandeh Rud is the most interesting natural phenomenon that is around the city, green areas of Olia that are in southern part of Lenjan city and green areas of west are suitable for recreations in open space and development of tourism very much. This case is a great privilege for Isfahan especially regarding local tourism. Some major interesting tourism and ecotourism locations in this scope are: Chubibrige, Shahrestan brige, Najvan park, Monarjonban, Sofeh Mountain, Zayandeh-Rud Lake is located 110 km west of the city of Isfahan in central Iran. This dam was used in 1349, and in the range of 50 degrees and 46 minutes east and latitude 32 degrees 44 minutes north is constructed. The total area of the lake’s surface is 48 km2. This mountain lake is situated 2000 m above sea level. Zayandeh Rud Lake there is a very good background for development of water spots, green areas along the Zayandeh Rud more than 120 kilometer, Band Nekuabad is very good for yachting and the ancient swamp which is along the river and at the present it has become a special lake for boating, Gavkhoni Swamp is international end of Zayandeh Rud river is most important tourists attraction. Fig 5.2: Showing Location of Tourist Recreational around Zayandeh Rud Lake. 138 Table 5.2: Location of Tourist Recreational around Zayandeh Rud Lake No Name of the Location Facilities place 1 Chadegan 32°46'5.87"N 50°37'44.37"E Chadegan recreational town recreational construction or the town Zayandeh Rud River (the sport-restaurant-hotel-villa- pool-and stores, Earth Sports 2 Recreational 32°45'10.26"N the game-restaurant-hotel- complex 50°39'40.86"E villa-pool-and stores, Earth Zayandeh Sports Rud 3 Villa 32°43'55.22"N the game-restaurant-hotel- complex 50°45'17.68"E villa-pool-and storesEarth organization Sports, regional water 4 Dash ghazan 32°41'53.04"N50°38'54.77"E Nice landscape of lake hill 5 Heydari 32°39'50.04"N Tourism Village ,some Village 50°34'49.41"E facilities available(see No,14) 6 Azadegan 32°40'59.86"N