Challenges of Management and Development of Tourism in Protected Areas of Southern Coast of Caspian Sea (A Case of Miankalelt Wildlife Refuge)

Ever-increasing on protected areas as tourism destinations, and development of tourism activities within those areas may be regarded as an opportunity for local community and preservation of natural resources: yet, there exists concerns for ineffective management in such areas(Hockings and Philips,2003). Without a systematic and knowledge-based management, any imprudent change in land use and uncontrolled tourism development can be a serious threat against these areas. Global and national experiences show irreversible changes to the environment and devastation of fragile, yet worthy ecosystems. Southern coast of Caspian Sea in one of the most long- established and important tourism destinations in Iran, and its core product it nature- baded tourism. A considerable portion of ecotourism takes place in protected areas and Northern littoral of Iran are potential ecotourism destinations. Despite the fact that natural resource protection started more than 50 years ago in Iran, the surveys show the management system of these areas is not effective and efficient enough. This paper evaluates the ecotourism porentials of protected areas of Northern waterfront provinces of Iran: and through a comparative study,it compares the management system of these areas with those of other areas across the world. Then, the management model of "Miankale Wildlife Refuge" is evaluated. The results show that the management system of "Miankale Wildlife Refuge" is traditional and classic, in which the area is considered as a museum and the only concern is protecting the environment. In this approach tourism is.