Another achievement for a GEF/Small Grants Programme project as a presenter of a National example for Sustainable Ecotourism in Iran

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1 Another achievement for a GEF/Small Grants Programme project as a presenter of a National example for Sustainable Ecotourism in Iran Protection and Instauration of Mountain Environment Society (Parow) a Non Governmental, Non Beneficiary Organization from Kermanshah, has succeeded to promote its SGP founded restoring of the mountainous pathways as a national solution and a potential national action plan at Iran's National Ecotourism Committee, and the National Ecotourism Committee offered the Parow Organization an USD financial support for implementing the ideas of restoring the mountainous path way as a sustainable way for Mountain Ecotourism in Iran and provide the National Ecotourism Committee with appropriate guidelines on making this effective Idea a National Strategy and action plan, to be replicable in other mountainous areas of Iran as a successful example of local communities participation and Indigenous Ideas in sustainable managing of the Natural and Cultural Heritages. Below is the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Support and request letter and its Translation

2 Parow letter Translation Feb 9, 2008 Letter Number: 826/ Office of Presidency Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization Dear Mr. Baghaie Vice President of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization As reply to letter No: P/1360 Date of 16/7/86 from Ms Mansoori, Director of Parow organization of Kermanshah, we should mention that Parow Non Beneficiary Organization second project which is the Green Tracking way of TaghBostan-Davashkaft for restoring and as a case example for restoring the mountainous pathways for sustainable ecotourism can be a very practical model, and based on their previous successful projects such as restoring the Tafe-Kochekine mountainous pathway, with financial support of GEF/ Small Grants Program which is based at UNDP Tehran, and because of this project participatory soul and engagement of the local communities, with support of Governmental Organizations, this project can be a very good pilot project for expanding the ecotourism in our mountainous areas and restoring our mountainous tourist's pathways. Based on all the mentioned above, amount of 10 Million Tomans funding for this project is requested. Thank you in advance Arash Koosha General Secretary National Ecotourism Committee Protection and Instauration of Mountain Environment Society (Parow) at a glance: The project aimed to protect and revitalize Taghbostan Mountain Ecosystem through planting domestic plant species and developing a strategy to be pursued in other areas in collaboration with local people. Through regulating the mountain hiking and trekking pathways with designing Green Pathways, and find collaborative solutions on controlling and degradation, fires, shrub cutting, overgrazing, pollution, soil erosion and wastes.. Lessons learned from implementing the project will also be used to provide a plan applicable to other regions.

3 The main activities and goals of the project were: Organizing a network of people, locals, climbers, non-governmental organizations, and governmental authorities who have been practiced protection and support initiatives which can be applied to other areas in Kermanshah Province. Planting endemic plant species and other natural solutions for controlling the soil erosion Correcting the mountain path and regulating the tracking paths based on locals and other stake holders ideas for protection of the mountain vegetation Controlling fires by designing fire places Preventing overgrazing in collaboration with local people for better protection of the mountain vegetation Developing a strategy to be followed in other spots around Zagros Mountain Pathways, designed by Parow Environment Society to regulate the mountain hiking and climbing rots for better preservation of the mountainous endemic vegetation

4 Designing the Green Path Ways

5 Providing visitors with substitutive heat sources helps protecting the vegetation not to be used as fire materials, also using instructional and awareness signs is a good way of communication with hikers and other people who comes to the mountains

6 Mountain vegetation restoration by designing the Green Pathways for preservation of the mountain-range land endemic vegetation which also naturally decrease soil erosion and increase the mountain biodiversity

7 The methods experienced in this project throughout it several years is now practical and innovative enough to be used at the National Level For further information on GEF Small Grants Programme and its activities and projects in Iran including Environmental Society for Protection of Mountains(Parow) and their project: Integrated Management Plan for Preservation and Rehabilitation of Doshakh Valley in Parow Mountain through Local Community Participation (Bisotoun Area), IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF) (IRA-G (IRA98G52)), please visit and