The Dena peaks in western Iran's Zagros mountains, rising to over 4,400 meters, are home to bears, leopards, wildcats, eagles, hawks and larks and other wildlife. Orchids, tulips, primroses and tansies grow wild in the region.
But excessive logging, crop cultivation, charcoal burning and livestock grazing, as well as forest fires, threaten this, one of the country's most ecologically diverse areas. Now communities are working with civil society organizations to conserve the fragile ecosystems around the peaks and to encourage eco-tourism and mountaineering, thus creating new job opportunities.
These efforts are part an initiative funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Program. that is also raising public awareness about the mountains and their unique, endangered environment. A national steering committee that includes members from civil society groups, the government and academia guides the program.
Potentially, the area offers plentiful water for fields and communities to help slow or halt the advance of deserts in the region. The Fars Green Center, named after the province where it is located, is working with communities to promote sustainable pasture and land management.
Since the mid-1990s, it has carried out a study of the geographical features of Dena. With support from the project it produced the first climbing map of the Dena peaks and launched a web site last year to mark the International Year of Mountains.
The Margoo waterfalls threaten to become "a victim of their success" because of unchecked tourism, in the words of UNDP Resident Representative Frederick Lyons. The project includes plans to improve the area.
Altogether, 38 eco-tour guides from 17 villages have undergone training and will continue to raise awareness about environmental threats, and the project is helping promote eco-tourism in the region. The western part of the Dena was protected from hunting over a decade ago.
The Iran Travel and Tourism Organization recently provided supplementary training for the guides and is taking steps to give official recognition to the Dena peaks region through promotion with eco-tour and travel agencies. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
