Here, nature tourism is different from mountaineering

Simultaneously with the spring season and the decrease in the number of corona sufferers, nature tourism and mountain tourism programs in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have been highly welcomed, a reception that may sometimes be accompanied by unfortunate incidents that provide the principle of health in this type of travel. It reminds more than before.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari nature is a tourist paradise in spring. Small and large waterfalls, lush mountain passes, river banks and gardens and fields are revived in this season and attract the audience.

These days, due to these spectacular beauties, advertising for nature and mountaineering programs and attracting tourists in cyberspace has also increased significantly, especially with the maximum coverage of vaccinations, the prevalence of coronavirus has decreased compared to the past and other obstacles. The past due to the spread of this virus is not considered for tourism and travel programs.

Although the pleasure of traveling in nature and spending a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city and car life has special charms, and these days a group of people are thinking of enjoying the beautiful nature and sightseeing in the most famous natural areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, but bad news The incidents that took place for nature lovers in some areas of the province in the last two weeks, leaving several dead and injured, led to various discussions and conversations between some experts and cyberspace users about the cause of these incidents.

From unfamiliarity with the principles of mountaineering and how to be present in nature to the lack of specialized guides, the illegality of some nature tourism programs, the participation of hundreds of people in a nature tourism group and the inability of program organizers to control and guide people, as well as legal issues. Which was raised in this regard.

Nature, in spite of its beauties, is violent

The director of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Red Crescent Society, stating that the presence of tourists and mountaineers in the natural areas of the province, has faced increasing growth this year due to the removal of corona restrictions, says: The need to be in nature has led to an increase in the number of accidents.

Iraj Kiani emphasizes that tourists and mountaineers have different concepts and not every tourist can explore the mountains. They have to make safety a priority in their journey.

He continues: Groups, clubs and sometimes some people in this season do various advertisements to hold nature tourism programs, but it is recommended that people interested in participating in these programs first know about the licensing of the program, the details of the event and the route, the skills of the organizers. Ensure the route and ability to provide assistance in emergencies and, most importantly, plan insurance coverage.

Kiani considers the use of local guides in the implementation of mountaineering programs important and says: knowing the emergency numbers such as 110, 112, 115, 125, which can make calls without antennas, can be a solution in case of an accident in the most remote natural areas.

The director of the Red Crescent Society of the province pointed out the need to observe safety tips when traveling to the mountains and ensuring that they are accompanied by people familiar and proficient in mountaineering on the one hand and how to find out the necessary conditions for choosing a group to travel to beautiful natural areas, especially difficult areas. On the other hand, it caused us to study the issue from the perspective of one of the most experienced mountain guides in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Mountaineering club instead of “mountaineering group”

According to the veteran mountain coach, who has been in charge of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Mountaineering and Sport Climbing Board in the past, instructions for converting mountaineering groups into clubs have been announced for several years, and no other group operates in the province and country.

Farhad Bahmani adds: “Some free groups operate as a nature group, which has been repeatedly warned by authorities such as the Department of Sports and Youth and the cultural heritage of tourism and handicrafts, but thinking that nothing will happen, continue their work.” they give.

“Unfortunately, when it comes to making money in this field, few people pay attention to the principles of nature, and it is the people and nature lovers who should,” he said, emphasizing that it is better for people not to associate with any group for nature tourism. Examine travel permits and insurance.

This mountain guide instructs on how to check permits and insurance on nature trips: Only licensed clubs under the Mountaineering and Climbing Board are allowed to hold mountaineering programs on routes and places outside of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts, and individuals. They can participate in their programs that have sports insurance.

Bahmani adds: “According to the instructions in each group, for every 12 people present in the program, a mountaineering instructor should participate in leading the group, so people can be informed of these conditions by controlling these cases in coordination with the officials of the mountaineering and climbing board.” Enough gained.

He points out another point regarding the increase of accidents in the natural areas of the province in the spring: such accidents also have negative consequences, so that they damage the reputation of the region and the possibility of attracting climbers from other provinces in this Reduces areas and potential incomes for local communities to some extent.

Attracting tourists by introducing the pristine and scenic natural areas of the country and provinces such as Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, as well as the subject of tours and authorized groups organizing nature tourism and mountaineering programs, has been an important issue in the field of tourism for years. Travel services and tour guides are organized, but the clear boundary between the Ministry of Sports and its subdivisions, such as the federations and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, still needs to be analyzed in the field of nature tourism and such tours. You can also get it by talking to the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Travel and tourism service companies are not allowed to conduct mountaineering tours

The Deputy Minister of Tourism of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari also criticized the fact that some people publish nature tours in cyberspace without any license as a mountaineering group and accept people without being selected among the tour members. It is only for profit, and these people, who have also illegally chosen the title of leader and guide, are not aware of the dangerous consequences of their actions.

In an interview with IRNA, Farjam Samiei added: “Since no travel and tourism services company is allowed to hold mountaineering tours, many people who are drawn to illegal groups are people who are least familiar with the geography of the region and without knowing their physical fitness.” Necessary to participate in these programs.

He states: “Unfortunately, such profiteering measures also call into question tourism, while the administrative complex in charge of tourism has a clear definition of tourist and tour and tourism center.”

Regarding the fact that some travel and tourism service companies advertise their tours as using a local leader and mountaineering instructor, Samiei reminds: Authorized companies and tour operators are well aware of the legal conditions of holding a tour and know that any Injury to people participating in the tour can force them to pay heavy damages, so they do not undertake mountaineering tours.

In response to the question that with these explanations, people who are interested in using nature tours should be informed about the availability of the necessary conditions in the tour and its licensing, he says: in all advertisements of travel tours, whether nature, historical or other types. Tours, the name of the organizing company should be mentioned in the package, which can be easily inquired by contacting the tourism office or visiting the websites of the provincial departments of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts.

The tourism complex has no role in equipping and securing natural centers for mountaineers

The Deputy Minister of Tourism of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari also adds about the idea of ​​why this department does not take action to secure high-risk natural areas, which are welcomed by those interested these days. It is about improving and creating facilities for tourist centers with the cooperation of other agencies, but where the climber is present is not within the authority and duties of this office.

Samiei continues: “Nevertheless, the tourism complex of the province is ready to cooperate with those in charge of organizing mountaineering sports to strengthen some infrastructures in the most visited areas.”

Coordination in the implementation of programs is needed to prevent congestion in the areas

Emphasizing that some natural areas of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, despite their countless beauties and a lot of publicity, are not a good place for strangers and non-mountaineers, he states: They consider a group to be in harmony with each other.

“Crowds in some areas in recent weeks have increased the likelihood of accidents,” says Samiei.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari also mentions plans to hold a joint meeting with the officials of mountaineering, boating and off-roading programs in the near future and reminds: The province is also on the path of destruction.

According to IRNA, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, with more than 800 cultural and natural tourist attractions, is one of the most important tourist destinations in the country.