Ecological Assessment and Recommendation of Appropriate Zones for Recreational Activities along Karaj River Basin: Case Study on Shahrestanak River

This study presents the appropriate zoning for recreational activities along Karaj river basin, with a case study on Shahrestanak River. Shahrestanak Village is located in Alborz Mountains and therefore is a high mountainous region. The Shahrestanak River originates from northern slopes of 3930 meters high Tochal Mountain; it is 18 km long and its river discharge, according to annual statistics, is of the order of 30 million m3/s, which supplies Karaj Dam to a great extent. In this research GIS was used to prepare maps for extensive and centralized recreation zoning. Factors of slope, direction, height, soil, and climate were taken into account and classified for zoning of Karaj river basin. Results of the study showed that, 2.05% of the total area of Shahrestanak river basin has zones with adequate potential, 43.19% of the area has zones with relatively adequate potential and 54.73% of the river basin is potentially inadequate for summer intensive (centralized) tourism. Regarding winter intensive (centralized) tourism, 2.07% of Shahrestanak river basin area has zones with adequate potential, 31.67% has zones with relatively adequate potential and 66.27% of the river basin is potentially inadequate for this purpose. However, for extensive tourism, 13.16% of Shahrestanak river basin has zones with adequate potential, 88% has zones with relatively adequate potential and 17.36% of the river basin has zones with inadequate potential. As findings indicate, due to the mountainous condition and high altitude of Shahrestanak region, has a potential for extensive tourism and should be considered as a priority for the area. In addition, the zoning results indicate that only the river banks may have adequate and relatively adequate potential for summer and winter intensive (centralized) tourism.