Evaluation of geotourism potential on the banks of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim (a.s.) Shaft river (a case study from Chobar to Imamzadeh Ebrahim (a.s.))

Academic Thesis for Master Degree

Field: Natural Geography

Tension: Geomorphology in Environmental Planning

Abstract

One of the pillars of the tourism industry is the existence of tourist attractions, especially natural attractions that form the primary capital of the tourism industry. Seas, forests, pastures, mountains, valleys, waterfalls, mines, springs are among the ecotourism attractions. Gilan province, with its breathtaking natural landscapes, mountains, seas, forests, pastures, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, rice fields, tea and citrus orchards, etc., is one of the provinces that has always attracted nature lovers and has high potential in terms of various forms of ecotourism and geotourism. Shaft city with its climate, soil, vegetation, rich water resources, sea, mountains, lush gardens, natural pools (ponds), historical, social, cultural and religious monuments is always a good destination for native and non-native travelers of the province.

This thesis uses descriptive and analytical methods to evaluate the potential of geotourism on the banks of Imamzadeh Ebrahim (AS) Shaft and the main purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of geotourism on the banks of Imamzadeh River. Ibrahim (a.s.) and identifying the geomorphological forms in the basin and providing suitable solutions for the development of tourism in the city of Shaft. The studies conducted in the above watershed have shown that many geotourism uses have been found in this watershed, and this watershed is one of the mountainous watersheds of Gilan province, which has left different geomorphological forms due to the change of use and destruction of vegetation, especially in Sarchashme (Imamzadeh Ibrahim town), and some of these forms are caused by human activity in this area due to construction activities. The most important forms of geomorphology that have been created, which have attracted a lot of nature lovers and can be seen in this basin, are all kinds of slopes, river ravines and alluvial terraces, landslides, valleys, meanders, secondary and main ridges, different forms of erosion, alluvial cones and landslides. The existence of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim River with its constant water flow, pristine forest vegetation, the presence of beech trees with regular rows, the wide bed of the river with various conditions in different places such as stony and non-stony, the presence of alluvial terraces along the rivers, the presence of religious places such as Imamzadeh Ebrahim, Imamzadeh Ishaq and his sister and Baba Rakab, the existence of daily and seasonal markets in Chobar and Amzadeh Ebrahim and other natural and human factors that are interesting for nature-loving tourists. It has made it possible to easily evaluate the potential of this region in terms of tourists and tourism and to take full advantage of these God-given capitals with a coherent planning.

Key words: evaluation, potential, use, geotourism, Imamzadeh Ebrahim River, Shaft city. The economic opinion can also play a positive and valuable role in increasing the income of the region along with fair income distribution, helping to organize the employment situation, speed of money circulation, more familiarity and understanding among the ethnic groups living in different parts of the country and the region, as well as the consolidation of national strength. In these areas, the presence of natural and human factors together has been able to provide a beautiful collection for tourists.

The geographical environment is a wide area and a substrate in which the biological collection plays its vital role and the biological capacity is not the same everywhere. The power of action of some changing factors is strong and some are slow. The range of changes is also proportional to the relative time. In geographic studies, environmental capabilities are examined over time and space. Therefore, the geographical environment is studied as a complete set consisting of different elements. To understand most of the characteristics of the natural environment, we need to study geomorphology, and it is in the shadow of gaining such knowledge that effective steps can be taken in choosing the most suitable place for the expansion of cities and the creation of huge factories, and serious measures can be taken to prevent the dangers of the mentioned phenomena or to deal with them. Considering the above and the importance of geomorphological studies, the writer in this research evaluates the usability of geotourism on the edge of Imamzadeh Ebrahim Shaft river and it is divided into the following five chapters.According to the above and the importance of geomorphological studies, the writer in this research evaluates the usability of geotourism on the edge of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim Shaft River and is divided into the following five chapters:

Chapter One: Research Overview

Chapter Two: Review of Sources, Research Literature, and Research Background

Chapter Three: Research Implementation Method, Materials and Methods

Chapter Four: Data Analysis and Research Findings

The fifth chapter: discussion, conclusions and suggestions. 

Statement of the problem

Until now, tourism was considered limited to the investigation of historical monuments and ancient works, but geological sights and phenomena are one of the most attractive fields of tourism that can be very much considered in the science of geotourism, which is the future economy. Foreign and domestic tourists visit beautiful and amazing geological phenomena and leave happy and memorable moments.  

Iran with its wide and unique nature, diverse climate and various geological features and ecological-cultural diversity with a special identity can be geographical phenomena or (geotopes) throughout the country such as caves, gorges, valleys, fossil areas, leaky valleys, large geological cracks, geological formations, mud volcanoes and karstic lands, all kinds of minerals, sand pyramids, rock-stone beaches, ancient mines, caves and etc. to be used as geological heritage in the form of numerous geoparks as an effective tool in the direction of tourism development. Gilan province is also unique in Iran with its special geographical and natural conditions, and its landscape in this small area has great diversity (Amri Kazemi, 2011, p. 261).

Imamzadeh Ebrahim watershed is one of the southwestern basins of Gilan province, which is located in Shaft city. This basin is one of the important branches of the Pisikhan River. And it originates from the mountains of Karam Khani, Slar, Kale Chani, Kharkash at an altitude of 1800 meters. The geographical conditions of this basin show that there is a lot of potential for geotourism on the banks of the river, and with a coherent planning, special conditions for geological tourism (geotourism) can be provided in it. Therefore, this thesis intends to evaluate the usability of geotourism on the banks of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim (a.s.) shaft using experimental methods and provide a solution.

1-2 research questions

Are there forms of geotourism on the banks of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim (a.s.) shaft? Is it?

1-3 Research Objectives

Evaluation of Geotourism Usability on the Edge of the Imamzadeh Ebrahim (AS) Shaft

Identification of Geomorphological Forms in the Imamzadeh Ebrahim Basin

Providing Appropriate Solutions for the Tourism Development of the City

1-4 Research Hypotheses

On the Edge of the Imamzadeh River Ebrahim (AS) there are many uses of geotourism.

It seems that among the forms of geotourism in the Imamzadeh Ebrahim basin, erosion forms and river terraces play a greater role. that each method is used for different studies according to the goals that have been determined. The research method in this research is descriptive and analytical with practical goals. 1-6 Information Collection Method The information collection method in this research is documentary, library and field. In the documentary method, reference is made to the cultural heritage and tourism organization regarding the available documents and information related to the capabilities and use of geotourism in Shaft city and the target region, and in the library method, various books are used for the definitions, concepts and theoretical foundations of the research. In the field method, by using field observations and taking photos of tourist and geo-tourist areas, it evaluates the tourism potential of the studied area. . . There are databases and computer and satellite networks, and in the field method, questionnaires, interviews, photos, etc. have been used.