Lorestan Province’s villages of water, harmony seek global tourism recognition
There are 11 tourism-targeted villages in the province, two of which — Bisheh and Kapar Judaki — have the potential for international tourism registration, said Ata Hassanpour, Director General of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization of Lorestan Province.
He stated that three years ago, the management of Bisheh village’s tourism services were handed over to the rural authorities so that local communities could directly benefit from the tourism potential of the waterfall and its surrounding natural beauty, ISNA wrote.
He noted that all financial credits allocated to the village’s infrastructure are derived from this source. “In previous years, we established various facilities such as picnic platforms, connecting bridges, restrooms, a prayer room, and even an access road to improve visitor comfort and accessibility.”
He added, “However, regarding the access road to the Bisheh Waterfall, due to the geological structure of the area, there have always been landslide issues. But with the road maintenance and stabilization project now underway, this recurring problem will certainly be resolved in the near future.”
Hassanpour explained that the village, known as “the village without unemployment,” owes this reputation to its year-round tourism potential created by the constant flow of visitors to the waterfall.
He said that another possible reason for this is the railway line passing through the village, which increases accessibility and attracts more tourists throughout the year.”
He continued that the most beautiful part of the railway route — famous both in Iran and internationally for its geotourism value — is the section from Dorud toward Khuzestan Province, distinguished by its tunnels, bridges, pristine natural attractions such as the Abgarm Waterfall, and endemic animal species like the Kaiser’s newt, the blind fish, and the partridge. He emphasized that this area’s breathtaking scenery and the hospitality of the local people along the railway have made it one of the most remarkable geotourism destinations in the country.
“Last year, the River and Rail Festival was held in Bisheh village with the participation of foreign journalists residing in Iran. The village was among eight candidates nominated by Iran for registration with the World Tourism Organization, but it could not achieve the required score due to various reasons,” he added.
Hassanpour said, “In terms of infrastructure, Bisheh village itself has no major problems for registration. The only issue lies in storytelling — a ritualistic and spiritual matter that we must work on. If the people of Bisheh village cooperate and take initiative in this field, and the World Tourism Organization acknowledges it, the village will certainly achieve international registration.”
The official noted, “Another village in Borujerd called Kapar Judaki also stands out. One of the aspects that this organization values is the voluntary participation of people in environmental activities. For instance, the locals build nests for storks on top of electric poles, which demonstrates their commitment to protecting nature and preserving the harmony between humans and wildlife.”