@2024 Afarand., IRAN

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ISSN: 2538-4384    Geographical Researches 2020;35(2):141-153

Background
Sustainable tourism or ecotourism is one of the managerial practices to control the tourism consequences and is highly related to biodiversity.
Previous Studies
The rising interest in both conservation and tourism in recent decades, as well as the rising interest in sustainable tourism, have led to the formation of the ecotourism concept [Eusebio et al., 2017]. Ecotourism is a strategy to develop tourism considering the local community and environmental conservation [Zambrano et al., 2010]. It has had a growing market in recent years [Santos Lobo, 2013]. As for the tourism attractions and capabilities in terms of biodiversity, Iran is one of the world's most important countries. Just like other countries, Iran has approved some rules to conserve the environment in protected areas to take the precaution of human's damaging the environment. The environment management and conservation of natural resources need the use of various skills and professions. However, the reasons and incentives behind such crimes are more important [Di Ronco et al., 2018]
Aim(s)
This study aimed to investigate the importance of biodiversity in the development of ecotourism in Touran protected areas.
Research type
This is an analytical survey.
Research society, place and time
The current research's statistical population includes all beneficiaries, including the local people and tourists in Touran protected area in the eastern part of Semnan Province and western part of Khorasan Razavi.
Sampling method and number
Using the Cochran formula, the calculated sample size is 764 samples gathered using the randomized cluster sampling method.
Used devices&materials
Interviewing the foresters, Arc GIS 9.2 software, and Likert scale questionnaire are the devices and materials used in this research.
Findings by Text
As the available maps in the studied area are not complete and accurate, the research team prepared a list of the unique natural habitats in the studied area, including the protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, the deserts, and the mountains using reliable documents, field study, and interviewing the foresters. The exact location of these spots was determined on the land sat pictures using GPS. Moreover, the land use map in the studied area was prepared (Figure 4). According to the Figure 3 and 4 (land use map) prepared by overlaying the information layers in ArcGIS software, it is shown that the southern and eastern parts of the studied area are deserts, with 57%. As one of the biggest national parks in Iran, this area includes the protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and national parks. A vast area, mainly in the central part, is covered by the rangelands and plains, with 40%. The mountains account for almost 3% of the area in the northern part. The results related to the unique, rare animals in the studied area The main animals' habitats and moving corridors in the studied area were detected using the available documents, interviewing the foresters, experts, local people, and field study (Figure 5). As shown in Figure 5, some species such as Leopards, Brown bears, Indian wolf, Red deer, Roe deer, Urial, Armenian Urial, and Eagles can be found in northern parts. The southern and central parts of the studied area are the habitat for Desert snake, Deer, Monitor lizard, Bustard, Camel, Asiatic cheetah, Persian onager, and Caracal. The species' density and the abundance of the habitats are not mentioned in the current research, and it is just a matter of presence and absence. Table 3 shows there is a huge number of protected animals in the studied area. The results related to the questionnaires The results gain from the questionnaires, on the other hand, show the most important tourist attractions related to the wildlife from tourists' perspective are hunting and fishing, sport, entertainment, education, and economic ones (Table 4). The results of the questionnaires from foreign tourists' perspective are different from those of the Iranian tourists in some micro-scale factors. The first priority of the foreigners is wildlife photography and filming (with 0.77), while this factor is less important for Iranian tourists (with 0.51), and they are most interested in hunting and fishing (shooting with a gun). Figure 6 compares foreign and Iranian tourists' opinions on micro-scales factors. Hunting and fishing is the most attractive factor for visitors. Figure 7 shows the proportion of each factor. The local community is more aware of the legal issues and their consequences rather than tourists. Unfortunately, both groups' score in terms of the "habitats destruction" was low, while the highest score is related to arson attacks (Figure 9)
Main comparison to the similar studies
Tourists, especially, Iranian tourists are highly interested in hunting and fishing in terms of the wildlife tourist attraction. This result is consistent with Orams (1966) results and Knight & Gutzwiller (1995). Sports and entertainment, and education attractions are the next priorities, mainly because of traditional biodiversity thoughts. Laghai et al. (2012) reached the same results. The legislator ought to edit the environmental crimes punishments by fining people to hunt and fish the available species in the region and destroy the sensitive habitats, for instance, to conserve the biodiversity in the studied area. Munro et al. (2010) believe environmental crimes punishment is an environmental right that is of great importance in managing and conserving the environment.
Suggestions
Eventually, some suggestions can be presented: - Preparation of the managerial and conservation plans for Touran protected area; - Compulsory training courses for the visitors to raise their awareness of the importance of biodiversity and conservation of the environment; - Empowerment of the local community and raise their general awareness of the conservation of the biodiversity and environment; - Edition of the environmental crimes' punishment.
Limitations
There is no limitation reported.
Conclusions
It can be concluded that the studied area (Touran protected area) is a unique habitat in terms of biodiversity, which is highly capable of ecotourism. Then there is this chance to develop this industry and enjoy the economic benefits in the province. However, the legal laws should be edited in advance because of the area's extent and its high sensitivity. The environmental legislation can take the precaution of the environmental crimes.
Acknowledgments
None
Conflict of interest
None
Ethical Permissions
None
Funding Sources
The current research is extracted from a Ph.D. thesis on the environment rights carried out in Islamic Azad University and is all funded by students, and there were no organizations and institutes to back up the project.

TABLES and CHARTS

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