2nd WSEAS/IASME International Conference on ENERGY PLANNING, ENERGY SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EPESE'08) Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008

Identifying tourism attractions in arid areas, options for tourism development: A case study of desert areas in

1. Alireza Estelaji, Associate Professor

2. Majid Vali Shariat Panahi, Assisstant

Azad university, shahre-Rey branch Address: Azad university shahre-Rey branch,Tehran,IRAN Country: IRAN

Abstract:

In spite of their prevalent fagile ecosystems, arid areas enjoy numerous human-based and natural attractions that are in some cases unique in natural world. Finding of this study well reveal that arid areas of Iran enjoy a great number of potential capacities, the most important of which are as follows: -specific natural relief, including highlands, deserts, lakes, rivers, springs, etc. -vegetation coverage specific to arid areas, wonderfully adapted to its natural environment; -specific wildlife; -Rural and urban architectural attractions, including for instance, existing carevanseras, pavements and other tourism capabilities. Regarding the available capacities for tourism development and the role it can play in socio-economic and political aspects, necessary directions has been provided for this purpose.Adequate investment can, thus, play a central role in development of both domestic and foreign tourism activities.

Key words: arid area, tourism, sustainable development; tourism attractions; desert area

The study area covers inland deserts of Iran, with an 1 introduction 2 presently, tourism industry is experiencing area around 320,000 km . This area that constitutes increasingly rapid changes. no boundary can be nearly 20% of national geographical area is conceived among different societies in the context of encompassed by Elborz and Khorassan mountains in global village.Emergence of new tourism areas is a the north, central mountains in the west and eastern world-wide phenomenon.It is now largely believed mountains in the east.These areas are each that arid areas have the potential to meet the needs of subdivided into some sub-areas or zones,The most those who dwell in those areas.Also, an interest in well-known of which are Dasht-e-kavir and Kavir-e- solving the problems related to climatic conditions, loot in northen part and southern part respectively. aridity, water deficit, soil sensivity,…Has resulted in In this study both descriptive-analysis and applied many national, regional and international actions for research methods have been used according to the both a better understanding and an optimised type of objective and methodology geographical utilization of the arid areas. information, including climatic factors, flora and 2 Materials and methods fauna communities, urban and rural settlements and tourism attractions constitute the statistical universe

ISSN: 1790-5095 101 ISBN: 978-960-474-016-1 2nd WSEAS/IASME International Conference on ENERGY PLANNING, ENERGY SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EPESE'08) Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008

of this study.Also, for data-gathering, different 3.1.2 Plains: instruments including maps, satellite and aerial Plains like Dasht-e-Baghoo, and mobarakeh plain photographs, as well as field and documentary with relatively dense vegetation coverage of different studies have been employed. species, as well as plain such as Dasht-e-Nesar, and Dasht-e-sineh shekarab as the habitats of endemic wildlife, offer attractives views to tourists.

3.1.3 pelaya(deq): In arid areas, Pelaya, also known as deq, is a flat basin, in which water is collected on a periodic basis.It is, thus, a shallow, salty, and lake-like basin that turns into an area coverd with cracked polygons of puddle clay in the time of drought ( shayan,s.1369:302). Instances of this spectacular natural phenomenon are available in kavir national park. Kashkooli, Parzard,Sorkh and Haji Mohebali, are some of the deqs, mostly located in the north-east of the park.

Figure 1 A case study map

3 Results and discussion In spite of the fragile ecosystems,arid areas mostly enjoy many human- based and natural attractions Figure 2 that are in some cases quite unique in the world.Natural features and relifs like dunes,salt 3.1.4 Rivers and springs: domes, badlands, salt lakes, fresh and saline water Band ali khan is the most important river in the springs, and animals well- adapted to hard-to-live reserved area of kavir. Downstream branches of circumstances,are just few instances of wonderful Qarachay River also run in the area. These rivers are natural phenomena one can see in an arid both habitats of a number of hydrophyte migratory area.Zerophylus and halophyte plants, from small birds in winter and xerophyte birds in other seasons. bushes to 6-meter high shrubs, are other natural There are in numerable spring in kavir national park, picturesque sceneries that only deserts can that are mostly attractive for tourists as the watering offer.Also, human-based attractions like historical troughs of wildlife Abundence of reeds and tonsils in monuments, type of architecture and materials used the margins of these springs as the water troughs of for construction purposes, the ways desert-dwellers wild goats and roams, for instance, amplifies the produce and subsist or deal with aridity, drought or tourism attractions of the region. Shahi Siahkooh, water deficit,etc; are other striking views that can Ain-ol-Roshd, Hawze Anamajd and sefidab,are some attract tourists. of the well-known springs in the region. In general, results of this study fall into following categories: 3.1.5 Vegetation coverage: 3.1 Natural attractions and perspectives Located in the margins of kavir,nation. All park dry climate and considerable ground cover specific to 3.1.1 Highlands: desert and semi-desert areas. The plant communities Several mountain ranges like siyahkooh and Nakhjir in mountainous areas are of steppe nature. have provided this plain with a picturesque view. Xerophylus and halophyte plants have a particular position in the flat plains of kavir national park. In

ISSN: 1790-5095 102 ISBN: 978-960-474-016-1 2nd WSEAS/IASME International Conference on ENERGY PLANNING, ENERGY SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EPESE'08) Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008

order to resist against low water, high temperature, 12 kms to the east of caravansaray, one may readily saline soils and arid environment, these plants use visit shifting sand dunes. In spring when the dunes different mechanisms for adaptation. This feature has are covered by vegetation,their movement or given them a specific spectacular view. displacement with the wind blows creates such really picturesque scenes.

3 3 Figure Figure 5 3.1.6 Wildlife: 3.1.7.3 Dastkan well: Animals of different species in the area have also Though adjacent to the largest salina of Iran, adapted themselves to live under arid circumstances. Dastkan well provides visitors with a quite, palatable Mammals like deer,zebra,wild goats and roams, as fresh water. well as carnivor like leopard,cheetah,wolf,hyena and wild cat live in the western part of central kavir. 3.1.7.4 Maranjob carevansaray: Also, vultures live in basins, rivers, highlands, In the southern margion of the lake and quite vallegs and plains of the region. adjacent to a water-rich aqueduct(kariz), there is maranjab caravansaray this brick-made structure, which is crossed by a well-known branch of silk road,has been recently rebuilt by cultural heritage organization. This square castle-like building has been built in safavid era.

3.2 Human-based attractions The remainders of human activities all around the kavir well reveal that it had been populated and a Figure 4 residential center in the past times. It also indicates 3.1.7 Tourism attractions in maranjab kair the creative methods people used to employ to adapt Located in the east of kashan and adjacent to the themselves with the circumstances of the arid historical silk road, maranjan kavir enjoys many environments. Major monuments of these sorts in tourism attractions like salt lake, shifting sand dunes, this vast area are as follows: rural and urban tourism and a historical caravansaray. The latter with a attractions ,caravansarays,castle and bastions,cisterns relatively short distance from Tehran, is already or water reservoirs, shrines and aqueducts being visited by many domestic and foreign tourists (Department of the environment,1363:86). in the dry seasons. 3.2.1 Urban tourism attractions: 3.1.7.1 Salt lake: Urban areas are important for tourism purposes from With an average length of 30 km2 and width of 25 two aspects. First, they are origin of tourist trips due km2,salt lake is spread out like a white crystal carpet. to population pressures and depressions caused by The extended size and magnificence of the lake with work activities. Second, urban centery mostly enjoy its geometric arrangements of salt crystals, makes adequate facilities for subsistence and recreation,as every visitor astonished. The attractiveness of well as for economic, business, industrial, cultural, sargardan Island(wander Island) in the lake is much political, sanitary, communicative and leisure time more magnified in winter,when it offers itself to activities, besides historical and tourism attractions migratory birds, in particular, flamingos. (Moradi M. and M. feizi,1385:5). There are cities within and around kavir plain. Houses, buildings, 3.1.7.2 Sand dunes: passage ways, open spaces and the architecture and

ISSN: 1790-5095 103 ISBN: 978-960-474-016-1 2nd WSEAS/IASME International Conference on ENERGY PLANNING, ENERGY SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EPESE'08) Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008

old texture of these cities are highly affected by long tall halls that make the air cold enough in weather factors and hard climatic conditions. summer time,show that how man could once cope However, they mainly possess a variety of visual with the natural conditions.With their star-laden sky landscapes and views that can be attractive to many at night time, and the calmness they offer the interested people (Armaghan s.1386:125). Damghan visitors, these villages are quite suited for tourists city, located in the northern margin of kavir plain accommodation. However, ammenities are needed to and semnan city, the capital of semnan province,in provide visitors with tourist services. the north-west of kavir plain are among important cities with a number of historical, cultural, Conclusion: architectural and relegious attractions. Qom and Recognizing natural attractions of arid and semi-arid Kashan cities, both located in the northern margin of areas in Iran may catch up one with an understanding kavir plain are well-known for their historical, that in spite of misconceptions about arid cultural, and religious monuments.The former is environments as void-of-attraction areas, and despite famous as a major tourism-pilgrimage city. Jundaq, a the hard natural conditions in these areas that suburb of Khor city , located 350km north-east of exacerbate such misconceptions, desert areas enjoy Sfahan, is limited in the east by southern margin of many natural and human-based attractions that no kavir plain. other natural area can provide. This uniqueness in terms of natural reliefs, amplifies the beauty and 3.2.2 Rural turism: attractiveness of arid areas. A spring, or a shallow rural areas and their residents are related to tourism saline river in an area where no rain has fallen for industry in two terms. First, rural environments several years, is quite appealing and attractive, provide visitors, specifically domestic ones, with especially when it is used by specific birds and suitable summer quarters and spaces to have animals. pleasurable leisure times. Second, what rural people Natural reliefs and features like badlands, salt lakes, offer to visitors as foodstuff or handicrafts, is a springs with fresh and brackish water, and deqs, all helpful means for subsistence economy of rural have their own specific beauty. Animals adapted to areas. hard living conditions, as well as abundance of In the margins of kavir plain, and even somewhat zerophylus and halophyte plants, from small bushes within the plain, one may find villages that due to the to 6-meter high shrubs that only deserts can offer, hard climatic conditions can be conceived as the lost have a quite different show case of beauty. Human- paradise in the heart of the hot kavir (desert). Some based attractions such as historical relics, types of of these rural areas are as follows: architecture and materials used for construction of rural and urban buildings, and the way desert- 3.2.2.1 village: dwellers produce and subsist or deal with aridity, this village is located 45 km east of . The drought and high temperature for long dry seasons, dwellers live on animal-husbandry. Saffron and are all other appealing landscapes that can attract wheat are the major agricultural produce.sand dunes many tourists or visitors. and vegetation coverage laden with tamarisk and halloxylon shrubs and alm trees have created a picturesque scenery. A reed bed 6 kms east of the Recommendations: village,with its pleasant view is the water though for Regarding the fact that above-mentioned phenomena animals in the region. can be attractive for those interested in nature and tourism, following recommendations are proposed to 3.2.2.2 village: the concerned organizations or agencies to provide Bayazeh, a village located 52 kms south-east of khor adequate infrastructures needed for encouraging in ,has an ancient citadel (arg) domestic and foreign tourists to visit arid areas which erected in sassanian times. However, unfortunately is beneficial for development of tourism and desert- this historical monument is going to be completely dwellers. ruined, merely because it does not receive due • Selecting appropriate sites for building few- attention. Jaame mosque, the oldest mosque in the dags accomodation complexes or facilities village, that has been erected in safavid era, is adjacent to villages, wetlands, springs and another historical-religious relic. Old houses with other suitable places in desert and semi- large pools, several summer and winter rooms, and desert areas.

ISSN: 1790-5095 104 ISBN: 978-960-474-016-1 2nd WSEAS/IASME International Conference on ENERGY PLANNING, ENERGY SAVING, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (EPESE'08) Corfu, Greece, October 26-28, 2008

• Establishing relatively low-cost places in • Training the manpower in tourism techniques marginal cities for long stays not less than to serve tourists in hotels, restaurants and one month. tourists guiding centers. • Constructing appropriate access roads from • Providing specifically within-desert cities marginal cities to deserts and points with and villages (like jandaq and mesr) with attractive human-based and natural reliefs. infrastructural ammenities needed for • Changing national parks like kavir national development of tourism. park and the protected area or desert basins • creating facilities needed for some desert- into zoo parks, and providing them with specific sport activities like sand-skiling and required facilities including roads, sings, desert-traversing by motorcycles. transportation media, etc. for touring by • Installing both fixed and mobile gas stations and vehicles. repair shops across tourist roads in the area. • Building museums for historical relics found • Selecting mesr and bayazeh villages as the in arid areas around kavir, and museums for tourism target villages and conducting detailed regional wildlife and vegetation coverag in studies about providing facilities and urban and rural few-days accommodation infrastructures needed for development of rural facilities. tourism in kavir. • Establishing exhibitions in tourists • Selecting cities within and around kavir, accommodation facilities for showing desert- including jandaq, Damghan Kashan and Qom dwellers products handicrafts equipment and as tourism target cities and providing them tools,etc. with the infrastructures needed for • Organizing ceremonies for honoring the development of tourism in desert urban areas. renowned scholars, poets,… of the area, in tourist- receiving cities or in the villages References: where they have been born. • Organizing seminars, congreses and [1]. Este,laji A.R. and M.V. shariat syposiums under the themes related to desert panahi. Identifying tourism attractions and semi-desert areas. in arid areas options for tourism • Organizing tourism activities in desert areas development: A case study of deser through establishing tours specific to the areas in Iran,.Research plan for Desert same area. tourism.IAU. Azad university shahre- • Providing air-visiting facilities for tourists. Rey branch.2007 • Organizing tours for riding camels, bicycles, [2].In Reo max, human automobiles and motorcycles in kavir (desert Geography.Traslated by sirous areas) for the interested tourists or visitors. sahami. Rayzan publisher.2000 • Providing tourists with services like food- [3]. Rezvani A.A.. Geography and supply and guiding activities that can be tourism Industry. PNU.1995 rendered by local people. [4].Departmen of Environmental • Providing social and cultural contexts for protection.National kavir park. Public presence of tourists to be welcomed by local Relations office.1986 communities in rural desert areas. [5]. Shayan S..Terminology of Natural • Taking measures needed for security and Geography. Madreseh Publisher. 1990 safety of both domestic and foreign tourists [6]. Ghobadian A. Natural Feature of in desert and semi-desert areas through the Iranian platean. Shahid Bahonar establishing new gendarmerie station and university. Kerman. 1990 building upon existing ones. [7]. Kardavani P. kavir and Desert: A • Introducing and making known human-based Base for Popular Participation and natural landscapes in those areas through Activities. DEFS Ministry of Jihad for different propaganda and advertisements Construction. 1995 activities to attract the interested tourists. [9]Moradi M. and M. Fayazi. Tourism Management. Behnashr Publisher. Astane-Qods-e-Razavi. Mashhad.2006

ISSN: 1790-5095 105 ISBN: 978-960-474-016-1