Economic, environmental impacts of wetland tourism
Wetland tourism is a form of ecotourism focused on visiting wetland areas with an emphasis on environmental conservation, education, and sustainable development. Wetlands, as ecosystems rich in biodiversity, are not only habitats for migratory birds and aquatic life but also have high potential for attracting nature-loving tourists due to their unique landscapes.
Azadeh Abedinzadeh, involved in tourism affairs, wrote in a note: Wetland tourism, unlike mass tourism, is conducted with small, planned groups to minimize harm to the environment and maximize benefits for local communities. The Hara forest in Sohili village is part of the Khor Khoran Wetland of Qeshm, one of the most beautiful and valuable wetlands in Iran, which is protected as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, chtn.ir wrote.
This forest, with its unique mangrove ecosystem, is home to dozens of species of migratory and indigenous birds, aquatic life, and marine creatures. A distinctive feature of this area is its saline water and continuous tidal movements, which make it possible to navigate among the intricate roots of the mangrove trees.
Animal species in the Hara forest include birds like flamingos, herons, pelicans, egrets, spoonbills, and Siberian migratory birds. Additionally, aquatic creatures like wetland fish, palm crabs, and native shrimp live in this region. The vegetation is primarily composed of mangrove trees, which have the ability to purify seawater.
The Sohili village, leveraging its unique location adjacent to the Hara forest, has the potential to become a hub for wetland tourism in southern Iran. However, the key point is the implementation of responsible tourism at the Sohili tourism dock, where visits are conducted in groups of 6 to 10 people with local guides. This method offers multiple benefits, including reducing environmental pressure by preventing noise pollution and habitat destruction for birds and controlling the number of visitors to maintain ecological balance.
Wetland tourism has been able to generate income for the local community through job creation, including local guides, boatmen, and handicraft vendors, as well as boosting eco-lodges and local seafood restaurants. This type of tourism also contributes to indirect education, raising awareness and sensitizing tourists by familiarizing them with the importance of mangrove forests in water purification, biodiversity conservation, and promoting a culture of beach clean-up and waste reduction.
With proper planning, wetland tourism can bring about increasingly positive transformations in Sohili village, including the quantitative and qualitative development of tourist facilities that provide visitors with welfare and accommodation services.
The village council, in collaboration with the tourism department of the Qeshm Free Zone, has decided to attract nature-loving tourists and researchers by constructing birdwatching shelters with minimal interference in nature and establishing nature interpretation centers to familiarize visitors with the Hara ecosystem. This initiative aims to create value by organizing birdwatching and wildlife photography tours and fostering collaboration with universities for environmental research.