Zoning and prioritization of recreational activities in ‎Khamir and Qeshm mangrove forests

In the process of planning and developing nature tourism activities, ‎proper zoning and prioritization of recreational activities for establishment and location in ‎nature is of special importance. In this way, recreational activities that are suitable and can be ‎established in the selected areas are designed and then a sustainable management program is ‎provided, taking into account training, participation and monitoring of recreational activities. ‎In the present study, while identifying suitable areas for the development of ‎recreational activities that are in demand and can be developed in the mangrove forests of ‎Khamir and Qeshm, prioritizing each of these activities according to the potential and ‎capabilities of the natural areas of the region, as well as the proposed and effective criteria for ‎their development.‎

In this study, activities were zoning based on the linear relationship of ‎spatial indicators. Then the weighting and prioritization of these activities was carried out ‎according to a series of selected criteria based on the opinions of experts and specialists as well ‎as similar studies and documents. In the process of identifying the criteria, the environmental ‎conditions of the study area and other factors that can be effective on the development of ‎recreational activities in this area were taken into consideration. The studied criteria include road ‎access network, distance from the city, location of settlements, sea infrastructure and existing ‎patches, distance from protection spots and resident population. These criteria were first ‎standardized in the numerical range of 0 to 1 in a linear way, and then weight was assigned to ‎each of the criteria using the ANP model. Next, for each of the criteria, a location map was ‎prepared in Arc GIS software, and Topsis method was used in Topsis Solver software to ‎prioritize recreational activities.‎

Obtained results, the zoning of recreational activities in this area ‎includes 4 options of how to combine the recreational activities required in the mangrove ‎forests of Khmer and Qeshm, which option 1 includes zones with three recreational activities ‎‎(Walking in the Forest -Watching Marine ‎Wildlife -Visiting the Forest ‎‎with a Balloon), option 2 ‎includes areas with four recreational activities (Visiting ‎Villages near the Forest -Walking in the ‎Forest -Watching Marine ‎Wildlife -Visiting the Forest ‎‎with ‎a Balloon), option 3 includes areas ‎with five recreational activities (Photography ‎in ‎Mangrove ‎‎Forest‎ -Traditional ‎Fishing -Jet ‎Boating-Watching Marine ‎Wildlife -Visiting the ‎Forest ‎‎with a Balloon) and finally option 4 ‎including seven recreational activities (Sunbathing ‎on the Beach Atv's on the Beach -Camping in ‎‎‎Mangrove ‎‎Forest -Watching Muddy ‎Islands and ‎Forest -Walking in the Forest -Watching Marine ‎‎Wildlife -Visiting the Forest ‎‎with a Balloon). The results of the evaluation of the criteria also ‎revealed that the highest weight was assigned to the criterion of sea infrastructure and existing ‎ports, Finally, the ‎ranking of recreational activities indicates that the highest priority is related to option 2, and the ‎next priorities include options 3, 1, and 4, respectively. ‎

In general, according to the obtained results, one of the most important factors in ‎the development of sustainable nature tourism, as well as the possibility of utilizing the potential ‎and tourist attractions in natural ecosystems, is the zoning and prioritization of recreational ‎activities according to the environmental conditions of the area. Considering that the mangrove ‎forests of Khamir and Qeshm are among the valuable protected reserves of the southern coasts ‎of the country, prioritizing recreational activities in suitable areas and outside the protection ‎zones of the region can protect these natural habitats and sustainably use the capacity of natural ‎resources and the appropriate distribution of recreational activities in the area.‎