Kermanshah pushes tourism development in Sarab-e Niloufar corridor
The Deputy Governor for Civil Affairs of Kermanshah Province said the Kermanshah–Sarab-e Niloufar (Lotus Lake) corridor boasts exceptional natural attractions and stressed that relevant authorities must provide the necessary groundwork for major tourism projects in the area.
Speaking at a meeting of the province’s Infrastructure working group, Tahmasb Najafi said Kermanshah Province enjoys significant tourism potential due to its numerous historical landmarks, mountains, foothills, springs, and scenic natural landscapes.
He added that several tourism corridors have been designated across the province based on these capacities, including the Kermanshah–Oramanat, Kermanshah–Sarab-e Niloufar, and Kermanshah–Bisotun routes, according to IRNA.
Najafi highlighted the strategic importance of the Kermanshah-Bisotun tourism corridor, noting that it is located along the Karbala highway and is home to major historical and natural attractions such as the Bisotun historical complex and Taq-e Bostan.
He said the corridor’s tourism potential is further enhanced by existing infrastructure, including highways, rail links, and an airport.
Despite these advantages, Najafi noted that no major developments have taken place along the corridor in recent years, adding that the transformative potential of this important tourism route has been seriously neglected.
He described the Sarab-e Niloufar corridor as part of the secondary route connecting Kermanshah to Oramanat, featuring scenic attractions such as Sarab-e Niloufar, picturesque plains, and mountain foothills.
According to Najafi, a tourism-oriented vision for the corridor was introduced in the 2000s, but no major investments in tourism or service sectors have materialized since then. He said part of the shortcoming lies with the agencies responsible for the sector.
He emphasized that the provincial administration is committed to preserving the corridor’s potential and laying the groundwork for large-scale tourism and service investments. Relevant authorities, particularly the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, have been instructed to submit development plans for the area.
Najafi also criticized unauthorized construction on natural resource lands, saying cases involving illegal land seizures must be pursued and violators held accountable before legal and oversight bodies.
During the meeting, officials also reviewed a proposal to ban non-tourism-related construction within a 1,000-meter zone along the Sarab-e Niloufar corridor. Investment proposals in tourism, agriculture, and service sectors were among the other issues discussed.