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 . 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 district. The climate of 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 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.

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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

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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.

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Plate 5.1: Showing Camp Temgarh resort, Kasturi Cottage and Lakeside Verandah near Mulshi.

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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.

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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 Tourism Village ,some tourist 50°28'56.56"E facilities available (see Village No,14) 7 Faramoshjan 32°40'23.34"N Tourism Village ,some Village 50°26'49.87"E facilities available (see No,14) 8 Adegan 32°43'7.72"N 50°27'39.42"E Tourism Village ,some village facilities available (see No,14) 9 Mashhad 32°43'30.20"N Tourism Village ,some Kaveh village 50°31'12.18"E facilities available (see No,14) 10 Hojjatol 32°42'57.14"N Tourism Village ,some Abad Tourist 50°47'45.90"E facilities available (see Village No,14) 11 Vancheshmeh 32°40'3.81"N 50°43'44.25"E Tourism Village ,some facilities available (see No,14) 12 Shaida 32°45'0.71"N 50°38'41.44"E the game-restaurant-hotel- recreational villa-pool-and stores town 13 Zobahan 32°44'49.58"N the game-restaurant-hotel- Marina 50°38'24.45"E villa-pool-and stores 14 Garmdareh 32°41'25.06"N 50°49'0.98"E Tourism Village ,some

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Village facilities available including , Restaurant , local foods ,handicraft, regional fruits (walnut,Almond,Grapes) 15 Sadeghabad 32°37'53.32"N Tourism village(see No,14) Tourist 50°50'50.18"E Village 16 Houreh 32°33'46.29"N the game-restaurant-hotel- Tourist 50°51'37.58"E villa-pool-and stores village

Plate 5.3: Showing Zobahn alcove beautiful seaside resort, around Lake and Beautiful Landscape along Zayandeh Rud River.

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According to research and analyzed data from different methods and after a careful study and observation of two mentioned study areas (Zayandeh Rud and Mulshi Lake) the following points for comparative is presented including: strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities (SWOT) for the development of ecotourism in the area :

5.3 Strengths:  Existing various natural, cultural, man-made resources in both the regions for attracting tourist all time of year even in rainy season in and fall in Iran.  Attraction ability variety of tourist markets in both the areas.  Having appropriate location in the countries.  Good transportation availability in Zayandeh Rud river.  Average service structure in Mulshi Lake and good variety of service structure in Zayandeh Rud river.

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 Average facilities of existing hotel and restaurants in Mulshi Lake as compared to the suitable tourist services in Zayandeh Rud river.  Location of Zayandeh Rud between three important cities (Tehran, Esfahan and Shiraz) in Iran and location of Mulshi between two important cities (Mumbai and Pune) in India.  Easy to reach market in Zayandeh Rud.  Average educational centers in Mulshi and good academic centers in Zayandeh Rud.  Existing cultural attractions for domestic and international tourists in two study areas especially in Zayandeh Rud River.  Having potentials for establishing recreational centers in Mulshi Lake and holding conference and occasion in Zayandeh Rud River. 5.4 Weakness:  Existing economic imbalance and inequality in both the study areas.  Weak facilities in health centers.  Low quality and quantity of hotels and restaurant and inappropriate tourist service.  Lack of trained personnel in tourism sector.  Limited capacity or lack of training center for qualified tourism personnel.  Traffic jam and lack of traffic control management especially on holidays and peak season.  Construction projects, temporary and unsustainable development.  Weakness in describing natural and cultural values of two mentioned study areas and lack of proper definition in these values.  Mismanagement in ecotourism planning, sustainable development and marketing. 5.5 Opportunities:  Existing original natural and cultural attractions for responding new demands of tourists.  Creating new ecotourism markets via present potentials in sport and adventures.

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 Making variety in tourism products and markets in order to have tourist all time of the year.  Having regular tours.  Increasing the quality and quality of tourism services and facilities.  Establishing high quality majors of tourism in the academic centers in study areas.  Improving the situation of roads and modes of transportation in all seasons of the year.  Developing management abilities in tourism industry.  Planning for new projects and getting good budget for performing them.  Strategic coordination between central government and local organizations. 5.6 Threats:  Lack of water and possibility of drought.  Natural disaster like flood, earthquake, etc.  Unpredictable disagreement from locals or government.  Weakness in governmental organization in using sustainable methods in ecotourism management.  Unrest and struggle in the regions.  Unclear government policy. One of the main elements of tourism, are residential units and tourist travelers. These establishments including hotels, motels, caravanserais, camps, cottages, coastal and mountain camps, boarding, Residence, place, or some part of the site, tourist beach, etc. Places of residence for recreational activities is therefore one of the most important needs. In addition, the residential centers can be an important role in local communities and have Creating new jobs, create economic prosperity in the region. The Mulshi area has a high potential for ecotourism development capability, due to Climatic variation in the region near the city of Pune, and the dense forests

5.7 Strength Points in Mulshi Area:  Beautiful and unique landscapes in the rainy season

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 There is a gravity dam and lake Mulshi  Easy and convenient access to the area near the city of Pune and the Mombai  Having a relaxed environment without the noise and clean air  Mountainous nature of the region, combined with good deeps forest cover and numerous waterfalls in the rainy season  Temperate climate and lush nature.  There are customs and local culture.

5.8 Weakness Points in Mulshi Area:  Inadequate facilities and accommodation facilities for tourists for a long time  Inadequate health facilities and services such as health services and restaurants, nice and clean  Lack of recreational facilities and equipment suitable for tourists, especially for children  Lack of trained personnel related to tourism and ecotourism  Inadequate infrastructure needs such as electricity, clean water, good roads and accommodation  Lack of understanding and knowledge of tourism and Ecotourism in rural area.

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