Educational course for local nature guides in Dena region

An educational course for nature guides of Dena peak surrounding communities was hold in order to better protection of this fragile mountainous ecosystem and establishing a sustainable ecotourism-based livelihood in the Khafr village during the “Small Grants Programme” of “Global Environmental Facilities” (UNDP/GEF/SGP) project (IRA-06-02 (69th)).
Organizing this event was a part of enhancing the potentials of the local NGO (Sabz Yaran Dena) in the Khafr village (a tourism hotspot village in Western Iran) during the capacity building entering the sustainable ecotourism cycle and developing ecotourism standards project (IRA-06-02 (69th)) with generous support of global organizations like UNDP, GEF and SGP. These 110 hours course was successfully managed by Plan for the Land Society with in-kind collaboration of other governmental and non-governmental organizations namely Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicraft Organization of Isfahan province (CHTHO), Ecotour Iran, Kanun Sabz Fars NGO and Sabz Yaran Dena mountaineers group (a local NGO).
The mentioned course duration was from November 1st to 11th in main mosque of Khafr village. On Friday 12th a final exam was taken from participants with provision of CHTHO provincial office and a certificate was given to the top graded local guides at the end.
Rich biodiversity and magnificent scenery of Dena peak and adjacent valleys in Zagroz Mountains, plenty of opportunities for climbing and trekking as well as professional ascends to the 47 peaks of over 4000 m high in this region are just parts of attractions of Khafr region. By practicing ecotourism in its appropriate directions it could resemble a conservation tool for biodiversity but on the other hand mismanaged ecotourism has caused many problems including habitat destruction, wildlife extinctions, pollution and disadvantage for local communities in different parts of the world. Collaboration of ecotourism industry, government, local communities and tourists themselves is the only sustainable solution to reverse this threat to the nature.
Accordingly holding short-term educational courses in Dena region villages will facilitate the capacity building needed for establishing the sustainable nature-based income and will aware local people about the importance of biodiversity values and attractions.