Evaluation of ecotourism prone zones in the Eshkevarat no-hunting area

Abstract

Introduction: Tourism in protected areas as a mechanism for financial self-government is a support for conservation and a tool for facilitating management. Therefore, tourism in these regions in order to preserve biodiversity and genetic reserves should be achieved
based on ecological potential assessment in susceptible areas so that no damage to biological species is done. The aim of this study was to evaluate the susceptible areas of ecotourism using two methods of multi-criteria evaluation and system analysis.
Materials & Methods: For this purpose, 19 options were selected in 7 clusters and each layer was combined using Analysis Network Process (ANP) method to determine the power of the options using Weighted Linear Composition (WLC).
Result: The results of multi-criteria evaluation method showed that 18.98% in the Class 1, 2.15% in the Class 2, 15.87% in the Class 3, and about 63% in the Class 4. The results of the system analysis also showed that 19.71% in the Class 1, 2.03% Class 2, 11.41% Class 3, and about 61.70% Class 4.
Conclusion: The results of both methods are similar and indicate that due to the conservation status, the existence of endangered animal and plant species, as well as considering the ecological nest of animal species, high elevation and slope in the area, the largest in the protected and safe zones, are some of the reasons, that limits access for visitors to the Eshkevarat No-Hunting area