Bird watching, an opportunity to reconcile with wetlands
A birdwatching expert while explaining about birdwatching in Iran said: Birdwatching is very powerful and is the best excuse to reconcile with wetlands.
Today (December 2) is the national day of bird watching. Allocating a day in the national calendar to “National Birdwatching Day” was first proposed in 2009 by a group of environmental and nature tourism activists. The National Nature Tourism Committee consisting of three institutions “Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts”, “Environmental Organization” and “National Forests, Rangelands and Watershed Management Organization” supported the event commemorating the National Day of Birdwatching and carried out this action in the direction of culture in order to protect species The variety of birds of the country is recognized. However, this day has not been officially included in the country’s national calendar yet.
Reza Aliasal said about the environmental aspect or ecotourism of birdwatching: not only birdwatching, but one of the main principles and concepts of ecotourism is “protection”. Naming such days is an excuse to pay attention to the protection of valuable species that are disappearing in nature at the national or international level. This day is a combination of two aspects of environment and ecotourism.
He added: Ecotourism is a responsible form of nature tourism that is carried out in natural environments. In it, two issues of environmental protection and improving the life of the local community should be addressed. Without these two, ecotourism has no meaning and is just a simple tourism. read
Different aspects of bird watching
About the regions of the country where bird watching is done, Ali Asal explained: Bird watching has two aspects; First, we investigate different species in specific ecosystems, including natural areas, protected areas, wetlands, etc., such as Golestan National Park, Hyrkani forests, and Miankala wetland. In other words, we will see what species exist in these areas.
This expert birdwatching guide pointed to the second approach and said: In this approach, based on the target list of species, we carry out its specific planning. For example, a group of foreign ornithologists came to Iran to observe a list of different species. In order to see their desired species, in addition to a diverse range of rich and pristine ecosystems, we sometimes go to cities, parks and gardens.
He considered Hormozgan and Minab in Bandar Abbas as a clear example of the second approach and said: “Most of Iran’s bird watching tours are done in Minab.” We even go to the alleys of Minab and the park around Bandar Abbas city to see target species such as Balochi woodpecker or Black drongo.
Balochi woodpecker
This official lecturer of the Ministry of Tourism in the field of birdwatching said about the species of interest in birdwatching: it is difficult to find and observe some species in nature, but some of them have a good population in urban environments, parks and gardens that are in good condition for various reasons. They can be seen seasonally.
Three levels of necessary measures to preserve ecosystems and bird populations
In response to the question of what measures can be taken to avoid damage to ecosystems and bird populations, Ali Asal stated: This issue is directed to the environments outside the city. We have diverse ecosystems, for the protection and sustainability of areas such as wetlands or forest environments, we must first evaluate the ecological capacity of the area. This action shows us what species are at risk in the region? Where are the breeding and feeding places of the species? In which part of the region can we install installations such as the birdwatching tower that will have the least interference? What conflicts and threats exist in the region? And will we cause double pressure on the conflicts or can we ameliorate some of them?
He pointed to the second stage of measures and added: Then we have to educate the local community because the local community is very important for bird watching. Accompanying the local community is very helpful for conducting domestic or foreign bird watching tours. With training, they can be trained to guide birdwatching tours because they are familiar with the area and have the ability to do this.
This UNESCO lecturer pointed to an example of local people’s companionship in bird watching and explained: This companionship can be seen from the local people in Pamnar Dezful village. There is a dam in Dezful which is the habitat of the fishing owl. A number of local people who own boats take tourists to and from the habitat of this species. In other words, they keep tourists happy and earn money. This is the best way of conservation because the local people know that their income depends on the protection of the owl.
fishing owl
He added: The first level of measures to assess the ecological capacity of the region is on the part of the government. The second level of local community education is partly the responsibility of the government and partly the responsibility of the activists in this field. The last level of ethical compliance by tourists is first on themselves, then on the activists of this field, especially birdwatching tour guides. For example, tourists should not approach the bird’s nest to take a better photo, or drive away a bird that is feeding by approaching it, and also do not disturb the silence of the area or light a fire in these areas.
Do these three levels of measures need strengthening?
This official lecturer of the Ministry of Tourism in the field of bird watching and ecotourism while pointing out the need to strengthen these three levels of measures explained: ecological assessment of areas is done very little. There are a number of areas under the protection of the environmental organization for which these evaluations have been carried out, but in most parts of Iran, like many wetlands, they are free zones where tourists can visit without restrictions, and the evaluation of the ecological potential has not been done there.
He added: Many of these wetlands are breeding grounds for species that are under threat in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Unfortunately, due to the lack of necessary evaluations and ignorance about this issue, tourists can easily visit the area and cause stress to the birds.
Regarding the education of local communities, Ali Asal pointed to the two levels of actions of the activists in this area and the government sector and said: “You can’t be unfair because some organizations and associations of the birdwatching club all over Iran, especially in Tehran, have done good things to the extent of their ability. We have not seen any action from the public sector.
The effect of drought on bird watching
This birdwatching expert considered the drought’s impact on birdwatching to be very severe and explained: I believe that “birds are today, and humans are tomorrow.” Birds are a very good indicator because if they leave an area due to drought, that area is like many of our wetlands, including Urmia, Gavkhoni, etc. are disappearing. The number of birds decreases and they go to another area, but this is not the end of the story, because in the near future, the same wetland will become the source of fine dust and cause many problems for us. For this reason, this issue is of great importance.
While pointing out the increase in the population of birds in some wetlands due to drought, Ali Asal discussed its consequences and said: This issue seems attractive, but it should be checked whether the wetland in question can withstand this number of birds. Are there enough food sources in that area? Does the gathering of this number of birds in one place not cause a problem?
He emphasized: All these cases have made the situation of our country sensitive.
Iran and its wetlands
This specialized birdwatching guide mentioned the state of Iran’s wetlands and said: Iran is a wetland country, so that out of 42 types of wetlands in the world, 41 types exist in our country. Each of these wetlands is also a resting place for a number of migratory birds, but we are losing wetlands, bird populations, their food sources and suitable resting places. Therefore, a chaotic situation arises.
bird watching; The way out of the drought crisis
This national lecturer of the World Federation of Tourist Guides explained about the way out of the drought crisis that has affected birdwatching: the answer to this question emphasizes the importance of birdwatching again. We have small wetlands around the cities of Iran that may not be noticed, but due to non-compliance with the water rights, they are being destroyed by the government or sometimes the private sector. When it forms in a birdwatching wetland, it will be introduced as an attraction. For this reason, people go to that area and its reports are also published in the media. In the end, unconsciously, the wetland, which is about to be destroyed, falls on the tongues.
He gave an example of this issue and said: I started introducing “Talab Alborz” (former Masoumeh Paradise) since 2008. This small wetland is located near the city of Qom and is approximately 80 hectares. Many tourists came to this wetland for bird watching and the area had become attractive to the point where it was registered in the national register last year. The reason for preserving the wetland and not destroying it was bird watching. If this did not happen, the wetland would have been destroyed by now, its land would have been flattened and added to the industrial network or Behesht Masoumeh cemetery near the wetland.
Ali Asal also pointed to the “Moreh Lagoon” in Qom province and the route of Qom to Garmsar highway and added: This lagoon is very large and has an area of about 20,000 hectares. Due to the neglect of this wetland and even the neglect of the Environmental Protection Organization, the water of the wetland was being drained by the people for agriculture or even by the government sector with canalization. These measures are being carried out now, but we are trying to preserve this area by expanding bird watching.
bird watching; Strength for Iran
This UNESCO lecturer emphasized the power of birdwatching in view of Iran’s biodiversity: Birdwatching is very powerful and is the best excuse to reconcile with wetlands. Many people may not even know the definition of a wetland or understand its value, but bird watching can be a beautiful and attractive excuse to protect wetlands. Iran has an extraordinary biological diversity, birds can be earned like an oil well as a special opportunity. Many foreign tourists are interested in visiting Iran. This issue is also an opportunity for tourism to develop in parts of Iran that lack industry, and in addition to becoming an alternative livelihood for local communities, it will also lead to the protection of the country’s natural areas.
He further stated: I consider birds as nature’s ghazal because they are visible, audible and attractive. A nature in which the number of birds decreases will lose its beauty and Iran’s nature will be a pity without birds.
At the end, Ali Asal noted: his senior thesis is also about evaluating the ecological capacity of this wetland. Also, a documentary has been made about it, but they are planning to make a special documentary again to protect and make this wetland popular.