Nominee – Registration of Tang-Sayad and Sabzkouh mountainous areas as UNESCO biosphere reserves

OVERVIEW

In order to protect ecosystems and unique biodiversity of the region, the project endorsed by the I.R. Iran Mountaineering & Sport Climbing Federation (IMSCF) registered the mountainous areas of Tang-Sayad and Sabzkouh as part of the global UNESCO biosphere reserves network. It further introduced ecotourism sites to experience activities such as mountaineering and rock climbing. In a third step, the project aims at educating and promoting sustainable activities among local communities.

Vision, goals and objectives

The first objective (protection of ecosystems and unique biodiversity of the region) was to register this region in the global network of biosphere reserves to protect the biodiversity and valuable habitats of the reserve. Tang Sayad and Sabzkouh biosphere reserve is a mountainous, steep region with many waterfalls, wetlands and springs, and a permanent bed of the Karun River. High altitude range, different geographical directions, abundant water resources, and climatic diversity have created exceptional flora and fauna habitats that need protection.

The second objective: (Sustainable development – economic growth and improvement of livelihood focusing on the participation of local communities and sustainable use of natural resources). Human communities in the reserve and their cultural, agricultural, and animal farming activities are several thousand years old. The existence of mountainous ecosystems and live wetlands and rivers, and unique landscapes have the necessary potential to create sustainable tourism and ecotourism sites. Creating tourism and ecotourism site like sports sites for water sports, mountain biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, aerial sports (kite, gliding, and light aircraft) in collaboration with the General Directorate of Sports and Youth, the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, and private sector investors are the main initiatives of the Second Objective.

The third objective: Education and promotion of sustainable activities among local communities. To improve local livelihoods, providing the necessary training to local communities by considering cultural and indigenous items is essential to improve their livelihood using nature sustainably. Organizing mountain tour guide courses, sports tourism guides for local communities are among the third objective measures.

Expected implementation and outcomes

The initiatives of this project have taken place in three essential steps:

Step 1: Registration of Tang Sayad and Sabzkooh biosphere reserves in the global network of biosphere reserves

Step 2: Development of management plan for the biosphere reserve focusing on sustainable tourism development in the region

Step 3: implementing and scheduling the management plan for the biosphere reserve

Important measures:

1. Holding numerous meetings with stakeholder representatives, including village governors, people’s representatives, associations and representatives of government bodies, and professors and researchers
2. Developing a management plan focusing on conservation, participation, and sustainable development in cultural, social, and tourism education fields.
3. Improving the livelihood of young people with technical training – skills for young people in beekeeping, fish farming, teaching the principles of nature tourism guide, cultural tourism guide, and sports program guide fields
4. Establishing tourism and ecotourism sites and sports sites including water sports, mountain biking, mountaineering, rock climbing, aerial sports (kite, gliding, and semi-light aircraft) in cooperation with the General Directorate of Sports and Youth, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, and private sector investors
5. Material and spiritual support of scientific and research projects of college students in biology, culture, and sustainable tourism in the region
6. Identifying some of the target villages in sports and cultural tourism and allocating the necessary funds for the implementing approved projects
7. Material and spiritual support of non-governmental organisations to inform local communities about the ecosystem services of the region
8. Holding training courses for students to get acquainted with the ecosystems of the region and their economic values

Perhaps it can be said that the turning point of this project was the development of a management plan with the participation of local communities for sustainable tourism development in sports, culture, and ecotourism fields.

Please note that the content published in this article is courtesy of the Award nominee. The UIAA has made minor revisions to the original submission.