Analysis of the consequences of tourism development in Lahijan city with emphasis on environmental aspects with the ICOLD matrix method

Dissertation for Master's Degree

Field: Geography and Tourism Planning

Abstract:

Due to the increase in population and the resulting pressure on natural resources and the environment, tourism can also leave favorable and unfavorable effects on the environment. Lahijan city is one of the most tourist-friendly cities in Gilan province and has favorable natural and man-made potentials, so it can be effective in the expansion of tourism in the province. The purpose of this research is the environmental consequences of tourism in Lahijan city, which is done using the ICOLD model. The research method is descriptive-analytical and ICOLD matrix model. The results show that the education of tourists has a positive and important role in reducing the negative effects of tourism development, and the traffic of tourists' cars is the most negative effect of tourism development, and the development of tourism and its income generation and job creation and unemployment reduction are among the positive environmental parameters and the cost and increase in traffic are the most negative effects of tourism development.

Key words: the consequences of tourism development, environment, Lahijan city, ICOLD matrix

Introduction:

Because Lahijan city is one of the most important The tourist cities of Gilan province play an important role in the development of tourism in the province, so it is important to be aware of the effects that the arrival and presence of tourists have on the natural and man-made environment of the city. If the effects of the presence of tourists and the activities carried out on the economic-social-cultural environment and the biological environment and the physical environment, as examined in this research, are examined and analyzed in relation to each other, it will make the positive effects of the arrival of tourists to the region be taken advantage of and its negative effects be reduced.

The main goal of this research was to identify the factors influencing the development of tourism according to the existing situation and the available facilities and the activities carried out, as well as to evaluate the environmental consequences of the presence of tourists, and by identifying the positive and negative effects, in order to reduce the negative effects and strengthen the positive effects of tourism, a suitable practical strategy can be reached. and strengthening its positive effects in the direction of using tourism as one of the important ways of development. Among them, Masoud Manuri, who in his book on the evaluation of the environmental effects of tourism and nature tourism projects, has shown these effects at two levels: the construction of facilities and facilities required for tourism and the level of exploitation of these facilities and services. Or Esmail Kahram, who in his ecotourism book has pointed out the positive and negative consequences of tourism from an environmental point of view. Or Ibtehal Zandi, who has researched the effects of tourism development on environmental parameters in an article titled "Effects and Environmental Consequences of Tourism Development".  . And it is for these reasons that investigating the environmental effects and consequences of tourism is important and required for the sustainable development of tourism in the region.

Statement of the problem:

Due to the increase in population and the resulting pressure on natural resources and the environment, tourism can also leave favorable and unfavorable effects on the environment. The best solution is to develop tourism in a sustainable manner so that it can benefit from its positive effects that meet economic, social, cultural needs and improve the quality of life, and preserve and protect the environment of the region.

These consequences are important for a province like Gilan province, which has both long coastlines and vast forests, and is located in the north of the Alborz mountain range, and also has a favorable climate for tourism. life and natural resources and pollute the soil, water, air, etc., it can hinder development, that is, the unfavorable environment itself can prevent tourists from entering, and on the contrary, if attention is paid to the environment, favorable conditions for the exploitation of resources and tourism and economic development of the region will be guaranteed in the future.

In Gilan province, due to the existence of different ecosystems together, both natural and man-made ecosystems, and specifically in the city of Lahijan, which is one of the major centers of tourist attraction in this province, and also because in many cases people live in the vicinity of these ecosystems, they affect their geographical environments and are affected by them. If these environments are not paid attention to, in many cases these effects will be negative It will appear in the form of destruction, while if these effects and consequences are studied and analyzed and a suitable solution is provided for each one, it will provide the basis for sustainable development.

Tourism and nature tourism projects have direct and indirect environmental effects and consequences. Although the development of tourism brings many benefits to the tourist areas, its unplanned development has caused negative and lasting consequences in the ecological resources of these areas. Tourism competes with other forms of development and human activities for the exploitation of natural resources, especially water and land. The use of natural resources often leads to the change of ecological habitats and the reduction of plants and animals. One of the problems of resource consumption is the indifference of the affected communities and local people to natural resources, whose existence is based on these factors. Converting and changing the land for the development of tourism directly causes the destruction of ecological habitats. Necessity of conducting research:

Environment preservation and sustainable development is an important matter that is emphasized in all scientific and academic circles, and international organizations have held many conferences and protocols or issued many recommendations about it. Although tourism can be useful in various fields, for example, in creating jobs, changing the mood of people, etc., but if it is not controlled and without planning, it will have many negative effects, one of its negative effects is ultimately the destruction of the environment. Therefore, it is necessary to study in this field.

1-3. Research question:

Are the effects of the traffic and arrival of tourists in Lahijan city positive or negative in terms of the environment?

-4. Research hypotheses:

1.  The development of tourism has a negative effect on the environment of Lahijan city.

2.  A lot of traffic in the city leads to more severe environmental effects than other effects.

-5. Research objectives:

1. Evaluation of the environmental consequences of tourism development in Lahijan city.

2. Achieving appropriate strategies to strengthen the positive consequences of tourism and reduce losses caused by development. 3. Knowing the effective factors of sustainable development in the development of tourism in Lahijan city.

1-6. Research method:

analytical-descriptive

1-7. Information gathering method:

1.  Examining available documents, sources and documents

2.  Collecting the required data in the field of tourism and environment

3.  Field surveys

4.  Analysis of collected data

5.  Preparation of the final report

1-8. Information gathering tools: interview, observation, databases, computer networks, maps, tables, diagrams 1-9. Data analysis method:

After collecting and categorizing the data, the data are analyzed using geographic principles and the ICOLD matrix model.

1-10. Research background:

In his book Ecotourism, Ismail Kahram has discussed the positive and negative consequences of tourism with its environmental aspects.

Arian Pour has examined its environmental damage in his thesis entitled Pathology of Coastal Tourism.